Moving to South Africa from Palau

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Palau to South Africa — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Palau to South Africa. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Palau to South Africa.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

PW
11.2
ZA
45.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

PW
22.2
ZA
24.5

Palau performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

PW
$1,857
ZA
$1,354
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

PW
17.8
ZA
8.1

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

PW
82.8t
ZA
6.9t

South Africa performs significantly 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

PW
6.9
ZA
3.3

Palau performs better than South Africa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

PW
1.7%
ZA
28.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

PW
$15,800
ZA
$14,300

Palau performs better than South Africa across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

PW
74.6 yrs
ZA
65.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PW
11.3
ZA
25.9

Palau performs better than South Africa across all family life metrics.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting South Africa

Visa Required
Palau passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa.
South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Palau

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from South Africa?

Internet is rarely the blocker — South Africa has 3.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is South Africa safe for expats?

Palau performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in South Africa is 45.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 11.2 in Palau.

How is healthcare in South Africa compared to Palau?

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 8.1 doctors per 10,000 people in South Africa, compared to 17.8 in Palau. South Africa scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Palau: 65).

What language do they speak in South Africa?

The official languages in South Africa are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. In Palau, the official languages are English and Palauan.

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At a Glance

PW ZA
Population 21,695 57,516,665
Currency United States Dollar ($) South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages English, Palauan Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +680 +27
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111