Palau
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
Palau shows progressing readiness (77th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 77th
- Global rank
- Not ranked (microstate)
- Regional rank
- Not ranked (microstate)
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Palau shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in School Access and Gender Parity (89, 94th percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.
A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Areas with room to grow: Human Capital (51, 56th percentile) and Innovation (38, 43rd percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 77th percentile.
- Scores range from Access & Parity (88.9) to Innovation (37.7), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Korea, Rep. | 79.45 |
| 3 | 2 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 77.87 |
| 4 | 3 | Singapore | 77.24 |
| 24 | 4 | Japan | 70.54 |
| 25 | 5 | Australia | 70.53 |
| 34 | 6 | New Zealand | 68.21 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 63.70 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 63.63 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 63.05 |
| 48 | 7 | Thailand | 61.33 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 61.26 |
| 49 | 8 | Brunei Darussalam | 61.14 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 60.51 |
| 54 | 9 | Indonesia | 60.06 |
| 56 | 10 | Macao SAR, China | 59.92 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 59.48 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 58.74 |
| 65 | 11 | Fiji | 57.04 |
| 67 | 12 | Mongolia | 56.70 |
| 68 | 13 | China | 56.42 |
| 70 | 14 | Malaysia | 56.09 |
| 80 | 15 | Philippines | 53.28 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 52.99 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 52.80 |
| 83 | 16 | Viet Nam | 52.16 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 46.68 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 46.22 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 46.13 |
| 106 | 17 | Timor-LesteFCS | 41.78 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 40.44 |
| 113 | 18 | Vanuatu | 39.11 |
| 117 | 19 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 37.93 |
| 125 | 20 | MyanmarFCS | 35.50 |
| 131 | 21 | Cambodia | 32.82 |
| 136 | 22 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 31.58 |
| 138 | 23 | Lao PDR | 30.78 |
| 156 | 24 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 23.87 |