Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC
20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to
Palau
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911

Flag description:
light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted
slightly to the hoist side

Economy Palau

Economy - overview:
The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture,
and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,
relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and
tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys a
per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of
Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been
greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the
rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the
willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$124.5 million; note - includes US subsidy (2004 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$145 million (2005)

GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,600 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 12%
services: 81.8%

Labor force:
9,777 (2005)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)

Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2005 est.)

Population below poverty line:
NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2005 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $72.07 million
expenditures: $72.43 million; including capital expenditures of
$12.98 million (FY04/05 est.)

Agriculture - products:
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish

Industries:
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,
garment making

Industrial production growth rate:
NA%

Electricity - production by source:
NA

Current account balance:
$15.09 million (FY03/04)

Exports:
$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:
shellfish, tuna, copra, g