Palau

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Palau
Published: 2026

Region: Oceania
Capital: Ngerulmud
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Density: 47 / km²

WRI Score 2026

81.51

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 16th
In Oceania: 1st
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Territorial system · top rate 12%· KPMG / EY
91.0
Territorial system taxes only locally sourced income.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 47 / km²· UN WPP
84.4
Low density relative to peers.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $20,718· IMF WEO 2026
60.2
Middle-income economy by per-capita output.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 74 years· WHO / UN
56.4
Moderate life expectancy relative to peers.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 2.5 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
96.4
Exceptionally high tourism intensity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 2%· ILO / SECO
100.0
Among the lowest unemployment rates globally.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0% of GDP· SIPRI
100.0
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
50.8
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Palau holds 16th of 211 with a WRI Score of 81.51 — holds a place in the upper leading group. Its strength lies in unemployment (100) and military posture (100); safety and rule of law remains a moderate constraint.