Kayangel (Ngcheangel) is the northernmost state of Palau 86 km (53 mi) north of Koror. The land area is about 1.4 km² (0.54 sq mi). The population is 54 (2015 census). There is one hamlet in the state - Orukei, which is also its capital. In 2020, Richard Ngiraked was elected governor of the state.

The state was colonized by Spain from the end of the 16th century until 1899 when the territory was sold to the German Empire. This situation continues until the First World War when Japan took control of the atolls. The United States ruled the area from World War II until the independence of Palau.

The Palau Parliament passed a joint resolution in January 2005 supporting a 2002 agreement between the Kayangel State and Palau Pacific Energy Inc. (PPE) in 2002, granting the oil company exclusive rights to explore, drill and produce oil in the surrounding marine area for a specified period of time. Initially, the Palau government had opposed this on environmental grounds, but then bowed to a 2003 petition by Kayangel State residents in favor of exploration.

In 2013 Typhoon Haiyan left its wake of destruction on the island, causing Kayangel to be flooded in its entirety, and all homes were destroyed. No fatalities were reported, but 69 people were affected by this cyclone.

The population of the state was 54 in the 2015 census and median age was 37.5 years. The official languages of the state are Palauan and English. Rdechor is the title of the traditional high chief from the state.

In June 1972, the resident population was 290.

Kayangel has its own constitution, adopted in 1983. The state government was established in 1984. The state of Kayangel, with population of less than 60, has an elected chief executive, governor. The state also has a legislature elected every four years. The state population elects one of the member in the House of Delegates of Palau.

The state consists of three atolls in different states of development: