Moving to Palau from Bhutan

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Bhutan to Palau? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Bhutan to Palau, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Palauan. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Palau compared to Bhutan.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

BT
2.5
PW
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BT
12.2
PW
22.2

Bhutan performs better than Palau across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BT
$677
PW
$1,857
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BT
5.5
PW
17.8

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Bhutan leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BT
2.0t
PW
82.8t

Bhutan performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BT
0.4
PW
6.9

Palau performs significantly better than Bhutan across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BT
5.7%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BT
$14,000
PW
$15,800

Palau performs significantly better than Bhutan across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BT
72.3 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BT
27.0
PW
11.3

Palau generally does better on family life, though Bhutan leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Bhutan and Palau. To live, work, or study long-term in Palau, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Palau's immigration authority.

Bhutan passport

Bhutan passport holder visiting Palau

Visa on Arrival
Bhutan passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Palau.
Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting Bhutan

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Palau passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Bhutan.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Palau?

Connectivity is usually fine (Palau: 6.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Palau offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Palau safe for expats?

Bhutan performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.5 in Bhutan.

How is healthcare in Palau compared to Bhutan?

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Bhutan leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Palau, compared to 5.5 in Bhutan. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Bhutan: 60).

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In Bhutan, the official language is Dzongkha.

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At a Glance

BT PW
Population 867,775 21,695
Currency Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) United States Dollar ($)
Languages Dzongkha English, Palauan
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +975 +680
Time zones 1 1