Palau - Migration

In 1999, persons not Palau-born accounted for nearly 30% of the total population. Most were born in the Philippines, China, and Bangladesh; there were also significant numbers from the Federated States of Micronesia, the United States, and Japan. Most were workers, whose numbers have been rapidly increasing; in 1999, foreigners made up 46% of the total work force. The vast majority of these foreigners were located in Koror. About one-fifth of all Palauans live abroad, many on Guam. In 1999, the net migration rate was 5.63 migrants per 1,000 population. The government views the migration levels as too high.