Samoa

Code: WS | Region: Australia Oceania

Introduction

Background

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The first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. A Dutch explorer was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s and were followed by an influx of American and European settlers and influence. By the 1880s, Germany, the UK, and the US had trading posts and claimed parts of the kingdom. In 1886, an eight-year civil war broke out, with rival matai factions fighting over royal succession and the three foreign powers providing support to the factions. Germany, the UK, and the US all sent warships to Apia in 1889 and came close to conflict, but a cyclone damaged or destroyed the ships of all three navies. At the end of the civil war in 1894, Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king, but upon his death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. When the war ended in 1899, the Western powers abolished the monarchy, giving the western Samoan islands to Germany and the eastern Samoan islands to the US. The UK abandoned claims in Samoa and received former German territory in the Solomon Islands. New Zealand occupied Samoa during World War I but was accused of negligence and opposed by many Samoans, particularly an organized political movement called the Mau (“Strongly Held View”) that advocated for independence. During the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, about 20% of the population died. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful Mau protestors, killing 11, in an event known as Black Sunday. In 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence as Western Samoa but dropped the “Western” from its name in 1997. The Human Rights Protection Party dominated politics from 1982 until Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata'afa's Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party gained a majority in elections in 2021.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

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13 35 S, 172 20 W

Map references

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Oceania

Area

total

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2,831 sq km

land

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2,821 sq km

water

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10 sq km

Area - comparative

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slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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403 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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24 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point

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Mount Silisili 1,857 m

lowest point

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Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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hardwood forests, fish, hydropower

Land use

agricultural land

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17.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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57.8% (2023 est.)

other

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24.6% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

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occasional cyclones; active volcanism volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m) is historically active

Geography - note

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occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

People and Society

Population

total

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210,223 (2025 est.)

male

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106,542

female

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103,681

Nationality

noun

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Samoan(s)

adjective

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Samoan

Ethnic groups

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Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.)

note

note: data represent the population by country of citizenship

Languages

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Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.)

Religions

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Protestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Church of Jesus Christ 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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26.9% (male 28,952/female 27,173)

15-64 years

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65.9% (male 70,225/female 67,427)

65 years and over

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7.2% (2024 est.) (male 6,743/female 8,333)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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51.6 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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40.2 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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11.4 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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8.8 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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27.8 years (2025 est.)

male

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27 years

female

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27.8 years

Population growth rate

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0.66% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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18.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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-6.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population

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17.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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-0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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36,000 APIA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.81 male(s)/female

total population

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1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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101 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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20.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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13.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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75.7 years (2024 est.)

male

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72.8 years

female

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78.7 years

Total fertility rate

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2.29 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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1.12 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 99% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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6.8% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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15.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2021)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 99% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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47.3% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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2.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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2.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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20.5% (2025 est.)

male

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28.6% (2025 est.)

female

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12.3% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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3.4% (2019 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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62% (2020 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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0.9% (2020)

women married by age 18

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7.4% (2020)

men married by age 18

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2% (2020)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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5.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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11.7% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population

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98% (2019 est.)

male

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98.3% (2019 est.)

female

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97.7% (2019 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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soil erosion; deforestation; invasive species; overfishing

International environmental agreements

party to

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Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

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none of the selected agreements

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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17.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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57.8% (2023 est.)

other

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24.6% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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17.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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-0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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27,400 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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57.6% (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Independent State of Samoa

conventional short form

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Samoa

local long form

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Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa

local short form

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Samoa

former

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Western Samoa

etymology

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the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name

Government type

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parliamentary republic

Capital

name

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Apia

geographic coordinates

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13 49 S, 171 46 W

time difference

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UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

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

Legal system

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mixed system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts involving fundamental citizen rights

Constitution

history

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several previous (pre-independence); latest 1 January 1962

amendment process

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proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading, provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum

International law organization participation

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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citizenship by descent only

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at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa

dual citizenship recognized

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residency requirement for naturalization

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5 years

Suffrage

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21 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017)

head of government

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Prime Minister LA'AULIALEMALIETOA La'auli Leuatea Schmidt (since 16 September 2025)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister

election/appointment process

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chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2-term limit); following legislative elections, the chief of state usually appoints the leader of the majority party as prime minister, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly

most recent election date

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23 August 2022

election results

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TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (independent) unanimously reelected by the Legislative Assembly

expected date of next election

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2026

Legislative branch

legislature name

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Legislative Assembly (Fono)

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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51 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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5 years

most recent election date

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8/29/2025

parties elected and seats per party

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Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) (32); Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) (22), Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) (3), Independents (4)

percentage of women in chamber

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9.8%

expected date of next election

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August 2030

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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

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chief justice appointed by the chief of state on 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 serve until retirement at age 68

subordinate courts

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District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village chief councils

Political parties

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Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) Tautua Samoa Party or TSP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN

chancery

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685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017

telephone

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[1] (212) 599-6196

FAX

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[1] (212) 599-0797

email address and website

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samoa@samoanymission.ws About | Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations

consulate(s) general

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Pago Pago (American Samoa)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa

embassy

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5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia

mailing address

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4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400

telephone

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[685] 21-436

FAX

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[685] 22-030

email address and website

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ApiaConsular@state.gov https://ws.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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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

Independence

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

National holiday

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Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962)

note

note: 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June

Flag

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description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper-left quadrant; on the rectangle are five five-pointed white stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red stands for courage, blue for freedom, and white for purity

note

note: similar to the flag of Taiwan

National symbol(s)

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Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars)

National color(s)

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red, white, blue

National anthem(s)

title

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"O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)

lyrics/music

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Sauni Liga KURESA

history

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adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)

Economy

Economic overview

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ower middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous fishing and agriculture industries; significant remittances; growing offshore financial hub; recently hosted Pacific Games to drive tourism and infrastructure growth

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$1.503 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$1.374 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$1.258 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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9.4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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9.2% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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-5.3% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$6,900 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$6,300 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$5,800 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$1.068 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

text

2.2% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

text

7.9% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

text

11% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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11% (2024 est.)

industry

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10.9% (2024 est.)

services

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72.5% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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80.8% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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18.2% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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30.5% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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2.3% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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29.3% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-53.8% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

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coconuts, bananas, taro, tropical fruits, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, root vegetables, milk, avocados (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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food processing, building materials, auto parts

Industrial production growth rate

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4.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

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57,200 (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

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4.6% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

text

5% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

text

5.1% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

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11.9% (2024 est.)

male

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7.4% (2024 est.)

female

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20.9% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

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21.9% (2018 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Remittances

Remittances 2024

text

26.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances 2023

text

28.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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33.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

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$371.764 million (2023 est.)

expenditures

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$326.052 million (2023 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2016

text

52.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

text

26.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024

text

$64.616 million (2024 est.)

Current account balance 2023

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$40.177 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

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-$74.039 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2024

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$369.73 million (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

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$346.187 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$175.377 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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India 26%, NZ 14%, USA 12%, American Samoa 10%, Australia 9% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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refined petroleum, integrated circuits, coconut oil, fish, insulated wire (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

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$575.749 million (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

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$560.776 million (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

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$512.021 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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NZ 20%, Singapore 19%, China 17%, Australia 10%, Fiji 9% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, poultry, cars, plastic products, milk (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

text

$507.74 million (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$447.09 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$321.163 million (2022 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$269.974 million (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

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tala (SAT) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

2.754 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

2.738 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

2.689 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

2.556 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

2.665 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

text

98.3% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

text

100%

electrification - rural areas

text

97.9%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

54,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

141.846 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

17.284 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

text

59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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15.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

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18.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

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6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

23.476 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

5,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

2 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

text

134,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

62 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

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state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned TV stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019)

Internet country code

text

.ws

Internet users

percent of population

text

58% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

text

2,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

1 (2022 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

text

Airports

text

4 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

text

13 (2023)

by type

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general cargo 3, oil tanker 1, other 9

Ports

total ports

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1 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

text

Apia

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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no regular military forces; Samoa Police Service (includes a maritime unit) (2025)

Military - note

text

informal defense ties exist with New Zealand, which pledged to afford assistance to Samoa in the conduct of its international relations under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship; New Zealand naval vessels patrol Samoan waters Samoa has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Somoa's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)