2017 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,914

Samoa

2017 Edition · 290 data fields

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Introduction

Background

New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.

Geography

Area

2,831 sq km 2,821 sq km 10 sq km
land: 2,821 sq km
total: 2,831 sq km
water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Climate

tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)

Coastline

403 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m
mean elevation: NA

Environment - current issues

soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

13 35 S, 172 20 W

Geography - note

occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

12.4% arable land 2.8%; permanent crops 7.8%; permanent pasture 1.8% 60.4% 27.2% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 12.4%
forest: 60.4%
other: 27.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional cyclones; active volcanism Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active
volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active

Natural resources

hardwood forests, fish, hydropower

Population - distribution

about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu

Terrain

two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior

People and Society

Age structure

31.35% (male 32,372/female 30,359) 19.82% (male 20,358/female 19,306) 36.33% (male 37,423/female 35,273) 6.78% (male 6,912/female 6,663) 5.72% (male 4,976/female 6,466) (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 31.35% (male 32,372/female 30,359)
15-24 years: 19.82% (male 20,358/female 19,306)
25-54 years: 36.33% (male 37,423/female 35,273)
55-64 years: 6.78% (male 6,912/female 6,663)
65 years and over: 5.72% (male 4,976/female 6,466) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

20.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

26.9% (2014)

Death rate

5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

74.2 64.9 9.3 10.8 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 9.3
potential support ratio: 10.8 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 74.2
youth dependency ratio: 64.9

Drinking water source

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 99.3% of population total: 99% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 1% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 0.7% of population
total: 1% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 2.5% of population

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - deaths

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

Infant mortality rate

18.6 deaths/1,000 live births 22 deaths/1,000 live births 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
female: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
male: 22 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 18.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Samoan (Polynesian) (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

74 years 71.1 years 77 years (2017 est.)
female: 77 years (2017 est.)
male: 71.1 years
total population: 74 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99.1% 98.8% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 98.8% (2015 est.)
male: 99.1%
total population: 99%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

APIA (capital) 37,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

51 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

24.4 years 24.1 years 24.6 years (2017 est.)
female: 24.6 years (2017 est.)
male: 24.1 years
total: 24.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.6 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

Nationality

Samoan(s) Samoan
adjective: Samoan
noun: Samoan(s)

Net migration rate

-9.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

47.3% (2016)

Physicians density

0.46 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

200,108 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu

Population growth rate

0.6% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 57.4% (Congregationalist 31.8%, Methodist 13.7%, Assembly of God 8%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%), Roman Catholic 19.4%, Mormon 15.2%, Worship Centre 1.7%, other Christian 5.5%, other 0.7%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 93.3% of population rural: 91.1% of population total: 91.5% of population urban: 6.7% of population rural: 8.9% of population total: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 8.9% of population
total: 8.5% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 6.7% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.7 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

19.1% 15.6% 25.3% (2014 est.)
female: 25.3% (2014 est.)
male: 15.6%
total: 19.1%

Urbanization

18.8% of total population (2017) 0.06% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.06% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 18.8% of total population (2017)

Government

Administrative divisions

11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

Capital

Apia 13 49 S, 171 46 W UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W
name: Apia
time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa no 5 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

several previous (preindependence); latest 1 January 1962; amended several times, last in 2017 (2017)

Country name

Independent State of Samoa Samoa Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa Samoa Western Samoa the name "Samoa" is composed of two parts, "sa" meaning sacred and "moa" meaning center, so the name can mean Holy Center; alternatively, it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology
conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa
conventional short form: Samoa
etymology: the name "Samoa" is composed of two parts, "sa" meaning sacred and "moa" meaning center, so the name can mean Holy Center; alternatively, it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology
former: Western Samoa
local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa
local short form: Samoa

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa; Ambassador Scott BROWN (since 27 June 2017) Accident Corporation Building, 5th Floor, Matafele, Apia P. O. Box 3430, Matafele, Apia [685] 21436/21631/21452/22696 [685] 22030
chief of mission: the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa; Ambassador Scott BROWN (since 27 June 2017)
embassy: Accident Corporation Building, 5th Floor, Matafele, Apia
FAX: [685] 22030
mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Matafele, Apia
telephone: [685] 21436/21631/21452/22696

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA (since 4 December 2003) 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6196 through 6197 [1] (212) 599-0797 Pago Pago (American Samoa)
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400J, New York, NY 10017
chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA (since 4 December 2003)
consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa)
FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196 through 6197

Executive branch

TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017) Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi (since 23 November 1998); Deputy Prime Minister FONOTOE Pierre Lauofo (since 2011) Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 July 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state, approved by the Legislative Assembly TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly on 5 July 2017
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice
chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017)
election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly on 5 July 2017
elections/appointments: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 July 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state, approved by the Legislative Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi (since 23 November 1998); Deputy Prime Minister FONOTOE Pierre Lauofo (since 2011)

Flag description

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation; red stands for courage, blue represents freedom, and white signifies purity similar to the flag of Taiwan
note: similar to the flag of Taiwan

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges) chief justice appointed by the head of state upon the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally appointed until retirement at age 68 District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village fono or village chief councils
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the head of state upon the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally appointed until retirement at age 68
subordinate courts: District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village fono or village chief councils

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (50 seats; 47 members - traditional family chiefs or matai, 2 members - part-Samoan or non-Samoan, and 1 woman member - added following the 2016 election - directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) election last held on 4 March 2016 (next election to be held no later than March 2021) percent of vote by party - HRPP 57.3%, Tautua Samoa 8%, independent 34.7%; seats by party - HRPP 35, Tautua Samoa 2, independents 3
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (50 seats; 47 members - traditional family chiefs or matai, 2 members - part-Samoan or non-Samoan, and 1 woman member - added following the 2016 election - directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - HRPP 57.3%, Tautua Samoa 8%, independent 34.7%; seats by party - HRPP 35, Tautua Samoa 2, independents 3
elections: election last held on 4 March 2016 (next election to be held no later than March 2021)

National anthem

"O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom) Sauni Liga KURESA adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)
lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA
name: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)
note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)

National holiday

Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation (five, five-pointed stars); national colors: red, white, blue
Southern Cross constellation (five, five-pointed stars); national colors: red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi] Samoa Christian Party or SCP [Tuala Falenaoti Tiresa MALIETOA] Samoa Progressive Political Party or SPPP [Toalepaiali'i Toesulusulu S'iueva POSE II] Tautua Samoa [Palasajue FA'APO II]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Samoa Workers Congress or SWC [Gatoloa'i AFAMASAGA]

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

coconuts, nonu, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa

Budget

$232.4 million $235.1 million (2016 est.)
expenditures: $235.1 million (2016 est.)
revenues: $232.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.12% (31 December 2016 est.) 9.51% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-48 million (2016 est.) $-43.6 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$447.2 million (31 December 2013 est.) $437.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $830 million. Agriculture, including fishing, employs roughly two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs over 700 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia, and accounts for 65% of total exports, but it is set to close by yearend 2017. Industry accounts for nearly 24% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly three-quarters of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014.

Exchange rates

tala (SAT) per US dollar - 2.565 (2016 est.) 2.565 (2015 est.) 2.5609 (2014 est.) 2.3318 (2013 est.) 2.29 (2012 est.)

Exports

$27.5 million (2014 est.) $33.8 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, coconut oil and cream, nonu, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer

Exports - partners

Australia 30.2%, American Samoa 21.7%, Afghanistan 11.2%, NZ 10.1%, US 5.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

June 1 - May 31

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.3% 23.9% 65.8% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 10.3%
industry: 23.9%
services: 65.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,600 (2016 est.) $5,200 (2015 est.) $5,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.1% (2016 est.) 1.6% (2015 est.) 1.2% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$786 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.087 billion (2016 est.) $1.002 billion (2015 est.) $975 million (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%
highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%

Imports

$341.3 million (2014 est.) $341.3 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

NZ 23%, Singapore 14%, China 13.5%, US 10.2%, Australia 9.9%, Fiji 6.3%, Japan 5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

6.1% (2016 est.)

Industries

food processing, building materials, auto parts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.1% (2016 est.) 0.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

50,700 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

65% 6% 29% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 65%
industry: 6%
services: 29% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

52.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 57.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$99.31 million (31 December 2016 est.) $122.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$367 million (31 December 2016 est.) $334.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$380.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $347 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$131.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) $116.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned television broadcast stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned radio station; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2009)

Internet country code

.ws

Internet users

58,508 29.4% (July 2016 est.)
percent of population: 29.4% (July 2016 est.)
total: 58,508

Telephone system

most households have at least one mobile phone; all businesses in the greater Apia area have access to broadband and Wi-Fi, which is reasonably reliable and fast, but relatively expensive; in rural Upolu and on Savaii Island there is limited availability of high speed Internet and Wi-Fi; Samoa recently completed the installation of a National Broadband Highway that will provide fiber optic data services and 4G LTE cellular data speeds to the entire country; 4G LTE data speeds are operative and commercially available to limited areas; 3G Internet accessibility from cellular devices is currently available nationwide (2017) combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons (2016) country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons (2016)
general assessment: most households have at least one mobile phone; all businesses in the greater Apia area have access to broadband and Wi-Fi, which is reasonably reliable and fast, but relatively expensive; in rural Upolu and on Savaii Island there is limited availability of high speed Internet and Wi-Fi; Samoa recently completed the installation of a National Broadband Highway that will provide fiber optic data services and 4G LTE cellular data speeds to the entire country; 4G LTE data speeds are operative and commercially available to limited areas; 3G Internet accessibility from cellular devices is currently available nationwide (2017)
international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

7,192 4 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 7,192

Telephones - mobile cellular

134,619 68 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (July 2016 est.)
total: 134,619

Transportation

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
total: 1

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)
total: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5W (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 1 (NZ 1) (2010)
by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1
foreign-owned: 1 (NZ 1) (2010)
total: 2

National air transport system

270,908 0 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 270,908
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
number of registered air carriers: 1

Ports and terminals

Apia
major seaport(s): Apia

Roadways

1,200 km 1,105 km 95 km (2017)
paved: 1,105 km
total: 1,200 km
unpaved: 95 km (2017)

Military and Security

Military - note

Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship