The United Nations Micronesia Palau National Study 2024/25

The United Nations Micronesia Palau National Study is intended to be an up-to-date source of information on the development situation and challenges in Palau, thereby serving as a decision- making tool. This national study contributes towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals in the country.

As a basis for the structure of this study, the five pillars (or 5Ps) of the 2030 Agenda have been used, namely: people, prosperity, planet, peace and partnerships. The study concludes by identifying the most likely and damaging risks to the development process and discussing key challenges and opportunities that are likely to have the most impact on achieving the SDGs in Palau.
 

Palau is a small island developing State in the Pacific, with an economy primarily dependent on tourism and development assistance. Thanks to its pristine marine environment, Palau’s tourism sector expanded before the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign grants also contributed to place Palau among the countries with the highest standard of living in the Pacific and to classify Palau as an upper-middle-income country. In particular, Palau benefits from grants issued under a Compact of Free Association (CoFA) with the United States, which was renewed in May 2023.