If you lived in Palau instead of Northern Mariana Islands, you would:

Health

live 9.6 years less

In Northern Mariana Islands, the average life expectancy is 79 years (77 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Palau, that number is 69 years (67 years for men, 72 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

make 17.9% less money

Northern Mariana Islands has a GDP per capita of $23,786 as of 2022, while in Palau, the GDP per capita is $19,532 as of 2025.

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Life

be 49.0% more likely to die during infancy

In Northern Mariana Islands, approximately 12.5 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Palau, on the other hand, 18.6 children do as of 2024.

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have 11.7% fewer children

In Northern Mariana Islands, there are approximately 12.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Palau, there are 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 3.3 times more likely to have internet access

In Northern Mariana Islands, approximately 25.1% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Palau, about 83.9% do as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2021–2022). How we calculate this

Palau: At a glance

Palau is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 459 sq km. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
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How big is Palau compared to Northern Mariana Islands? See an in-depth size comparison.

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