National Identity
- Official name
- Independent State of Samoa
- Official name (in Samoan)
- Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa
- Name etymology
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
Sources:- Constitution of the Indipendent State of Samoa ↗ - Samoa Bureau of Statistics - Government of Samoa
- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- National seal
- National flag
As published by the Government of Samoa The symbolic flag display the white stars of the Southern Cross.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Government of Samoa The blue is said to represent freedom; red is representative of courage, as well as being a traditional Samoan color.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Government of Samoa The flag of Samoa was officially adopted on January 1, 1962.
As published in EnglishSource:- samoagovt.ws ↗ - the Government of Samoa
- National anthem
- O le Fu’a o le Sa’olotoga o Samoa1:13
- Title (in Samoan)
- O le Fu’a o le Sa’olotoga o Samoa
- Title (in English)
- The Banner of Freedom
- Alternate title (in Samoan)
- Samoa Tula’i
- Alternate title (in English, translated)
- Samoa Arise
- Lyrics
Samoa tula’i, Ma sisi ia lau Fu’a lou pale lea. Samoa tula’i, Ma sisi ia lau Fu’a lou pale lea. Vaai i na fetu o loo ua agiagia ai; Le faailoga lea o Samoa ua mafai ona tautai. Oi! Samoa e, uu mau lau pule ia faavavau. Aua e te fefe, e le toe avea lou pale; O lo ta Sa’olotoga. Samoa tula’i, Ia agiagia lau Fu’a lou pale lea.
- Citizens
- Samoans
- Official name:Constitution of the Indipendent State of Samoa ↗ - Samoa Bureau of Statistics - Government of Samoa
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Coat of arms:Image credit
- National flag:samoagovt.ws ↗ - the Government of Samoa
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
- National anthem:Recording credit
Geography
- Location
- Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
- Total area
- 2,831 km²
- Land area
- 2,821 km²
- Water area
- 10 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 403 km
- Terrain
Two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior - Highest point
- 1,857 mMount Silisili
- Lowest point
- 0 mPacific Ocean
- Climate
Tropical rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) - Avg. temperature
- 25.5 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 24.6 to 26.8 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 2,722 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 27.1 25.8 24.8 377 February 27.1 25.8 24.9 338 March 27.3 25.9 24.9 272 April 27.3 26 25 213 May 26.9 25.7 24.8 189 June 26.5 25.4 24.6 127 July 26.1 25 24.2 133 August 26.1 24.9 24.1 118 September 26.3 25 24.1 146 October 26.6 25.2 24.3 209 November 26.9 25.5 24.5 255 December 27 25.7 24.8 345 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable3.9%Perm. crops11.4%Pasture2.3%Forest57.8%Other24.6%
- Arable land
- 10,710 hectares (3.9%)
- Permanent crops
- 31,710 hectares (11.4%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 6,410 hectares (2.3%)
- Forest
- 160,720 hectares (57.8%)
- Other land
- 68,450 hectares (24.6%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Tropical cyclones6.3High#25/191Earthquakes4.4Medium#81/191Tsunamis4.2Medium#65/191Epidemics3.7Medium#134/191Drought0.5Very low#165/191River floods0.0Very lowCoastal floods0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.56% per year+1,222 people/yearWorld Rank133rdof 237
- Birth rate
- 24.4 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 6.2 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −12.7 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 19.8 yearsWorld Rank202ndof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years37.5%15-64 years56.2%65 years +6.2%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 6.2%
- Share aged under 18
- 44.5%
- Total dependency ratio
- 78
- Youth dependency ratio
- 67
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 11
- Sex ratio
- 1.02 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 0.3% 0.6% 70-79 1.3% 1.5% 60-69 3.0% 3.0% 50-59 4.3% 4.0% 40-49 4.4% 4.6% 30-39 5.0% 5.6% 20-29 7.2% 6.9% 10-19 12.1% 11.5% 0-9 12.8% 12.0% - 2026
- 1.60 above the replacement level for Samoa ()3.70 births per womanreplacement 2.101234World Rank31stof 237
- 1.73 daughters per woman0.73 above replacement, long-run each generation larger than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.52
- 2026
- +18.2 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 18.2 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −12.7 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 17.5% live in cities38,620 urban residents
- Largest places2021
- Apia, Vaitele, Faleasiu, Aleisa Sasa'eRankPlacePopulation (2021 census)1Apia35,9742Vaitele8,2243Faleasiu4,4314Aleisa Sasa'e3,8105Siusega3,5676Vailele3,2847Fale'ula3,2788Malie2,6239Vaiusu2,59610Toamua2,401Source:
- Samoa Statistical Services Division (2021 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- About three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu.
- Ethnic groups2011
- Figures count country of citizenship, not ethnicity.Samoan96.0%Samoan/New Zealander2.0%Other1.9%
- Religions2016
- Protestant54.9%Roman Catholic18.8%Church of Jesus Christ16.9%Worship Centre2.8%Other Christian3.6%Other2.9%None0.2%
- Protestant
- 54.9%
- Congregationalist
- 29.0%
- Methodist
- 12.4%
- Assembly of God
- 6.8%
- Seventh Day Adventist
- 4.4%
- Other Protestant
- 2.3%
Other includes Baha'i and Muslim.
Source:- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Languages
- Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa), English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Samoa Statistical Services Division (2021 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe Head of State, O le Ao o le Malo, is elected by the Legislative Assembly for a renewable five-year term; the Constitution calls "the Independent State of Samoa" free and sovereign and uses neither "republic" nor "monarchy" (Arts. 1, 16, 18, 19).Source:
- Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa, consolidated reprint ↗, Arts. 1, 16, 18, 19
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe Head of State appoints as Prime Minister a member commanding the confidence of a parliamentary majority; Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament and falls on a no-confidence motion, and dissolution is on the Prime Minister's advice (Arts. 32, 33, 63).Source:
- Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa, consolidated reprint ↗, Arts. 32, 33, 63
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Apia35,974 people(2021)
- National holidays
- 11 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- FriJan 2The Day After New Year's Day
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- SatApr 4Day After Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- MonMay 11Mother's Day
- MonJun 1Independence Day
- MonAug 10Father's Day
- MonOct 12White Sunday (Lotu a Tamaiti)
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- SSTSamoa Standard TimeUTC+13
- Currency
- Samoan Tala (WST)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +685
- Internet TLD
- .ws
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- WS, WSM
- Infrastructure
- Passengers carried
- 42,120 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Aircraft departures
- 3,540 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Air freight
- 0 million tonne-km(2023)
- Aircraft registration prefix
- 5W
Sources:- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Flag carrier
- Samoa AirwaysState-owned
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa, consolidated reprint ↗ - Government of Samoa (Office of the Attorney-General)
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- Upper middle income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +0.4% per yearWorld Rank177thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $6,303 (118th in the world)
Source:- 2025
- Services72.1% of GDPIndustry10.2% of GDPAgriculture9.1% of GDPManufacturing4.9%part of industry
- Households
- +72.8%
- Government
- +18.6%
- Investment
- +30%
- Exports
- +27.6%
- Imports
- −43%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useThe five add up to 106% of GDP, not 100. The gap is in the source data.
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 1.4%down 0.4 percentage points0.4pp from 2025
- Labor force2024
- 57,801 (27% of population)World Rank183rdof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 43.1% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 4.9%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 12.7% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $13 per hour worked at PPP
- Budget balance2026
- 4% of GDP surplus
- Current account
- 5.6% of GDP, $75 million surplus
Source: - Debt2024
- Central government debt27.7% of GDPHousehold debt20% of GDPCompany debt20.9% of GDP
- Trade2025
- Goods$24.2 million6.9%
- Services$328 million93.1%
- Total exports
- $352.2 million
- Change from 2024
- down 4.7 percent on the previous year4.7%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Taro, Coconuts (in shell), Papayas, and 5 more
- 1Taro83.3×
- 2Coconuts (in shell)79.8×
- 3Papayas18.2×
- 4Pineapples12.8×
- 5Bananas12.7×
- 6Avocados10.4×
- 7Mangoes and guavas and mangosteens5.6×
- 8Raw milk of cattle0.2×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- food processing, building materials, auto parts
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Average gross salary2022
- WST 1,648 per month$613 (USD), $897 (PPP)
- Median
- WST 1,126 per month($419)
- Men
- WST 1,632 per month($607)
- Women
- WST 1,673 per month($622)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- WST 832 per month, gross$302 (USD), $440 (PPP)
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.708HighWorld Rank122ndof 193SamoaWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Samoa World 1995 0.655 0.625 1996 0.663 0.631 1997 0.665 0.636 1998 0.669 0.641 1999 0.672 0.646 2000 0.676 0.651 2001 0.683 0.657 2002 0.682 0.662 2003 0.687 0.669 2004 0.691 0.675 2005 0.694 0.681 2006 0.697 0.688 2007 0.701 0.694 2008 0.702 0.698 2009 0.694 0.701 2010 0.708 0.707 2011 0.711 0.713 2012 0.707 0.717 2013 0.706 0.721 2014 0.706 0.726 2015 0.708 0.731 2016 0.712 0.735 2017 0.712 0.739 2018 0.711 0.741 2019 0.708 0.745 2020 0.708 0.742 2021 0.706 0.742 2022 0.703 0.752 2023 0.708 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- 2013latest available
- 38.7
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 11.3 years
- Expected for a child today
- 12.4 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Literacy2019
- 98% of adults
- Education expenditure2024
- 5.5% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 12.9%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Mobile subscriptions2021
- 69,000
- Fixed telephone lines
- 6,000
- Fixed broadband
- 0.8 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2022
- Official tourism site49,400 arrivalsdown 71% against 201971% below 2019World Rank134thof 139
- Per resident
- 2.3 arrivals per 10 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 1,200 arrivals
- $232.7 million(2024)
- Share of GDP
- 3.7% tourism direct GDP(2023)
- Residents' trips abroad
- 25,000 overnight trips
- $14.5 million(2024)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2022A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Income inequality (Gini), Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Literacy:UIS Data Browser ↗ - UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2018
- 6.3 per 100,000 peopleMedium by global standards
- Crime rates
- 1 offence category
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 6.3 13 2018 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2019
- 170.7 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 358
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 72.1 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 6.8% of GDP$293 per person
- Physicians2021
- 0.56 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2005latest available
- 1 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 12.2 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 101 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 2.9 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Tobacco use2020
- 24.9% of adults
- Men
- 35%
- Women
- 14.8%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Road traffic deaths2019
- 13 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption, Tobacco use:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.35 Mt per yearup 4.9 percent on the previous year4.9% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 1.7 t per personWorld Rank129thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.13 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.04 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 0.52 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 1.4 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted224thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- soil erosion
- deforestation
- invasive species
- overfishing
Source:- The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- International agreements
- 19 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 63 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1995 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1994 CITES in force 2005 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) in force 2005 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2003 Nagoya Protocol in force 2014 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 2005 World Heritage Convention in force 2001 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1998 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 2002 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2004 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2017 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1995 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) signed 2023, not ratified MARPOL 73/78 in force 2002 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Samoa - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 1% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 0 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment2022
- 5.1% of the population
- Obesity2024
- 64.3% of adults
- Men
- 51.7%
- Women
- 76.4%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children2019
- 3.4% of children under five
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment:Food security indicators (FAOSTAT) ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 24 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 5.7% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0.2 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0.2 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0.1 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 2,308 b/d in 2024Consumption20242,308 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
