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Palau vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Palau has a population of 17.7K (ranked 194/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Palau's land area is 177.6 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 180th vs. 105th).

By GDP, Palau ranks 194/197 ($277M) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,611), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Palau South Korea
Population
17629
51649918
Population rank 194/197 31/197
GDP
$277M
2023
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 194/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$15,611
2023
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 67/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$18,230
2023
$61,051
2024
Government debt n/a
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,869
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 177.6 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
99.3 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.91
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
39.2 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Palau and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Palau and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Palau South Korea
2024 - $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $276,733,063 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $243,826,813 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $231,343,460 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $261,688,507 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $282,041,290 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $287,998,352 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $292,148,590 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $305,227,020 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $287,057,526 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $245,591,095 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $224,110,611 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $215,616,882 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $198,742,371 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $188,042,374 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $189,854,706 $983,065,242,417
2008 $201,067,734 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $200,789,764 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $193,611,359 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $190,961,685 $971,740,329,984
2004 $166,363,739 $823,251,107,639
2003 $154,566,788 $728,516,494,684
2002 $162,658,722 $650,014,391,470
2001 $159,446,228 $567,564,806,235
2000 $149,551,483 $597,487,173,479
1999 $144,206,500 $515,697,079,289
1998 $149,079,600 $397,297,216,492
1997 $143,860,800 $589,202,526,424
1996 $137,494,600 $631,196,863,758
1995 $121,018,500 $586,286,469,401
1994 $106,138,500 $479,181,794,217
1993 $96,455,700 $405,705,302,846
1992 $104,771,300 $366,921,291,825
1991 $106,555,300 $340,851,946,804
1990 $97,702,303 $292,064,221,389
1989 $85,800,543 $254,236,243,100
1988 $75,348,615 $205,477,530,605
1987 $66,169,905 $152,240,393,646
1986 $58,109,314 $119,965,960,795
1985 $51,030,637 $103,764,281,281
1984 $44,814,259 $99,749,645,089
1983 $39,661,530 $89,621,208,322
1982 $36,027,583 $79,921,300,447
1981 $32,726,594 $74,287,368,087
1980 $29,728,054 $66,547,970,351
1979 $27,004,251 $68,083,884,298
1978 $24,530,015 $52,824,793,388
1977 $22,308,104 $39,064,462,810
1976 $20,364,420 $30,371,074,380
1975 $18,521,112 $22,126,033,058
1974 $16,848,759 $19,860,929,977
1973 $15,331,889 $14,067,523,813
1972 $13,956,474 $10,990,490,570
1971 $12,706,874 $10,005,257,131
1970 $11,563,041 $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Palau and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Palau South Korea
2024 - $36,239
2023 $15,611 $35,674
2022 $13,730 $34,822
2021 $13,009 $37,518
2020 $14,708 $33,646
2019 $15,847 $33,827
2018 $16,167 $35,364
2017 $16,402 $33,297
2016 $17,150 $30,832
2015 $16,154 $30,172
2014 $13,863 $30,667
2013 $12,699 $28,449
2012 $12,137 $26,601
2011 $10,994 $26,175
2010 $10,222 $24,071
2009 $10,148 $19,937
2008 $10,578 $22,252
2007 $10,403 $25,078
2006 $9,882 $22,610
2005 $9,635 $20,167
2004 $8,394 $17,122
2003 $7,862 $15,212
2002 $8,340 $13,643
2001 $8,239 $11,981
2000 $7,798 $12,710
1999 $7,630 $11,063
1998 $8,048 $8,583
1997 $7,945 $12,822
1996 $7,788 $13,865
1995 $7,038 $13,002
1994 $6,329 $10,734
1993 $5,892 $9,180
1992 $6,553 $8,387
1991 $6,824 $7,873
1990 $6,403 $6,813
1989 $5,741 $5,989
1988 $5,145 $4,889
1987 $4,616 $3,658
1986 $4,144 $2,911
1985 $3,728 $2,543
1984 $3,360 $2,469
1983 $3,049 $2,246
1982 $2,838 $2,032
1981 $2,639 $1,918
1980 $2,423 $1,746
1979 $2,189 $1,814
1978 $1,972 $1,429
1977 $1,781 $1,073
1976 $1,616 $847
1975 $1,464 $627
1974 $1,328 $572
1973 $1,221 $412
1972 $1,145 $328
1971 $1,081 $304
1970 $1,017 $281.8
1969 - $245.5
1968 - $200
1967 - $162.5
1966 - $134.4
1965 - $109.4
1964 - $124.2
1963 - $147
1962 - $106.6
1961 - $94.2
1960 - $158.8

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Palau vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Palau South Korea
2026 69.6 84.6
2025 69.5 84.5
2024 69.4 84.4
2023 69.3 84.3
2022 68.9 82.7
2021 68.6 83.9
2020 68.7 83.7
2019 69 83.7
2018 69 83.3
2017 69 83.3
2016 69 82.9
2015 69.1 82.5
2014 69.1 82.4
2013 69 81.8
2012 68.9 81.3
2011 68.6 81.2
2010 68.3 80.7
2009 68 80.6
2008 67.6 80
2007 67.1 79.4
2006 66.6 79
2005 66.2 78.4
2004 65.8 78
2003 65.4 77.5
2002 65.1 77.2
2001 64.8 76.9
2000 64.5 76.2
1999 64.2 75.6
1998 64 75
1997 63.7 74.5
1996 63.5 74
1995 63.3 73.4
1994 63.1 72.9
1993 63 72.7
1992 62.9 72.2
1991 62.8 71.4
1990 62.8 71
1989 62.8 70.7
1988 62.8 70.2
1987 62.8 69.3
1986 62.8 69
1985 62.7 68.4
1984 62.6 68.1
1983 62.5 66.7
1982 62.3 67.1
1981 62.1 67.1
1980 61.9 64.8
1979 61.6 66.1
1978 61.3 65
1977 60.9 64.6
1976 60.5 65
1975 60 64.7
1974 59.5 64.2
1973 59 63.8
1972 58.6 63.2
1971 58.1 62.7
1970 57.7 62.2
1969 57.3 61.4
1968 56.9 60.9
1967 56.5 60.9
1966 56.2 55.4
1965 55.9 55.8
1964 55.8 55.3
1963 55.6 55
1962 55.4 55
1961 55.1 54.4
1960 54.9 53.8
1959 54.6 52.9
1958 54.4 51.8
1957 54.1 51.6
1956 53.9 50.2
1955 53.7 48.4
1954 53.5 46.1
1953 53.3 40.5
1952 53.1 36.6
1951 52.9 26.6
1950 52.7 22.2

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Palau and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Palau South Korea
2024 17,695 51,751,065
2023 17,727 51,712,619
2022 17,759 51,672,569
2021 17,783 51,769,539
2020 17,792 51,836,239
2019 17,798 51,764,822
2018 17,814 51,585,058
2017 17,812 51,361,911
2016 17,797 51,217,803
2015 17,770 51,014,947
2014 17,715 50,746,659
2013 17,648 50,428,893
2012 17,765 50,199,853
2011 18,078 49,936,638
2010 18,396 49,554,112
2009 18,709 49,307,835
2008 19,009 49,054,708
2007 19,302 48,683,638
2006 19,593 48,438,292
2005 19,819 48,184,561
2004 19,820 48,082,519
2003 19,659 47,892,330
2002 19,503 47,644,736
2001 19,352 47,370,164
2000 19,178 47,008,111
1999 18,901 46,616,677
1998 18,524 46,286,503
1997 18,108 45,953,580
1996 17,654 45,524,681
1995 17,195 45,092,991
1994 16,770 44,641,540
1993 16,372 44,194,628
1992 15,989 43,747,962
1991 15,614 43,295,704
1990 15,259 42,869,283
1989 14,945 42,449,038
1988 14,645 42,031,247
1987 14,334 41,621,690
1986 14,024 41,213,674
1985 13,688 40,805,744
1984 13,337 40,405,956
1983 13,006 39,910,403
1982 12,694 39,326,352
1981 12,402 38,723,248
1980 12,271 38,123,775
1979 12,337 37,534,236
1978 12,440 36,969,185
1977 12,525 36,411,795
1976 12,598 35,848,523
1975 12,655 35,280,725
1974 12,687 34,692,266
1973 12,552 34,103,149
1972 12,194 33,505,406
1971 11,759 32,882,704
1970 11,368 32,240,827
1969 11,159 31,544,266
1968 11,080 30,838,302
1967 10,988 30,130,983
1966 10,805 29,435,571
1965 10,547 28,704,674
1964 10,292 27,984,155
1963 10,037 27,261,747
1962 9,793 26,513,030
1961 9,555 25,765,673
1960 9,328 25,012,374

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Palau and South Korea

Fertility rate
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Palau South Korea
2023 1.91 0.72
2022 1.93 0.78
2021 1.95 0.81
2020 1.97 0.84
2019 1.98 0.92
2018 1.97 0.98
2017 2.02 1.05
2016 2.06 1.17
2015 2 1.24
2014 2.03 1.21
2013 2.05 1.19
2012 2.01 1.3
2011 1.97 1.24
2010 1.94 1.23
2009 1.94 1.15
2008 1.95 1.19
2007 1.97 1.26
2006 2 1.13
2005 2.02 1.09
2004 1.99 1.16
2003 1.96 1.19
2002 1.92 1.18
2001 1.87 1.31
2000 1.82 1.48
1999 1.91 1.43
1998 2.01 1.46
1997 2.19 1.54
1996 2.39 1.57
1995 2.55 1.63
1994 2.66 1.66
1993 2.73 1.65
1992 2.71 1.76
1991 2.74 1.71
1990 2.88 1.57
1989 2.92 1.56
1988 2.91 1.55
1987 2.93 1.53
1986 2.98 1.58
1985 3.01 1.66
1984 3.08 1.74
1983 3.14 2.06
1982 3.22 2.39
1981 3.28 2.57
1980 3.35 2.82
1979 3.49 2.9
1978 3.74 2.64
1977 4.09 2.99
1976 4.53 3
1975 4.9 3.43
1974 5.26 3.77
1973 5.59 4.07
1972 5.9 4.12
1971 6.16 4.54
1970 6.39 4.53
1969 6.58 4.45
1968 6.71 4.51
1967 6.84 4.62
1966 6.93 4.78
1965 7.01 4.89
1964 7.08 5.07
1963 7.12 5.33
1962 7.15 5.56
1961 7.17 5.8
1960 7.19 5.99

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Palau and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Palau

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Palau South Korea
2024 39.2 46.1
2023 38.8 45.5
2022 38.5 44.9
2021 38.1 44.4
2020 37.8 43.8
2019 37.4 43.1
2018 37 42.5
2017 36.7 41.9
2016 36.3 41.4
2015 36 40.8
2014 35.6 40.2
2013 35.3 39.5
2012 35 38.8
2011 34.6 38.2
2010 34.2 37.6
2009 33.9 37
2008 33.5 36.4
2007 33.1 35.8
2006 32.7 35.2
2005 32.3 34.5
2004 32 33.9
2003 31.8 33.4
2002 31.5 32.8
2001 31.2 32.3
2000 30.8 31.7
1999 30.2 31.2
1998 29.4 30.7
1997 28.8 30.2
1996 28.3 29.8
1995 27.8 29.4
1994 27.4 28.9
1993 26.9 28.3
1992 26.4 27.8
1991 26 27.2
1990 25.6 26.7
1989 24.9 26.3
1988 24 25.8
1987 23.1 25.3
1986 22.2 24.8
1985 21.6 24.2
1984 21.1 23.7
1983 20.5 23.3
1982 19.9 22.8
1981 19.3 22.5
1980 18.9 22.1
1979 18.6 21.6
1978 18.3 21.1
1977 18.1 20.7
1976 17.8 20.2
1975 17.4 19.9
1974 17.1 19.6
1973 16.8 19.3
1972 16.6 19.1
1971 16.6 19
1970 16.5 18.9
1969 16.1 18.8
1968 15.7 18.7
1967 15.2 18.6
1966 14.9 18.5
1965 14.9 18.6
1964 15 18.8
1963 15.1 19
1962 15.5 19.1
1961 16.1 19.2
1960 16.7 19.3

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/palau/south-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Palau South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$262M
2023
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
52.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.53%
2023
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel n/a
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+1.67%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.09%
2023
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
74.8%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2023
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
62
2025
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$1.95M
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
18,399
2020
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
93.5%
2017
1.94%
2020
Banked people share n/a
96.9%
2024

Energy

Palau South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
4,814 kg
1990
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$2
1990
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1.47 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
82.8 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
1990
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
0.9%
2022
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
4.6%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Palau South Korea
% of world population
0.0002%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-16
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
79.2%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
53.9:46.1
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.6 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.23 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
52.2
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
49
2025
63
2025
Higher education index n/a
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
11.2
2018
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
4.78
2013
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
120
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
100%
2020
98.8%
2018
English speaking
92.5%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
27%
2004
97.9%
2024

Health

Palau South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,684
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$203.8
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
18.5%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.81
2023
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
89
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
22.3
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
42.1%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
19.3%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
65
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
17.3%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita n/a
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Palau South Korea
% of world land
0.0003%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
10,037 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
16.6 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
160.8 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length n/a
68,794 mi
2018

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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