Palau Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Palau
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated August 6, 2024
Palau recorded 11.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2018, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Palau #38 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Oceania average of 5.9 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 33% over the past decade (from 16.9 in 2015). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Palau at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
11.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#158 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2018
Homicide Rate Trend (2015-2018)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 33% over the past decade (from 16.9 in 2015). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Palau Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Palau:
Reissued after periodic review without changes Exercise normal precautions in Palau. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Palau. If you decide to travel to Palau: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter . Follow the Embassy on Facebook . Review the Country Security Report for Palau. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Palau Population & Demographics
Population of 17,695, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palau safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Palau at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Palau?
Palau has an intentional homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 people (2018, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #38 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Palau?
Palau is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Palau compare to other countries?
Palau's homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Oceania average of 5.9.