The economy, primarily subsistence based, relies mainly on coconuts, taro, and fishing. Tuvalu depends heavily on foreign aid, mainly from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan. In the early 1980's, with the assistance of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the Government established the Tuvalu Trust Fund to meet its recurrent and capital expenditures. Remittances from Tuvaluans working abroad, the sale of commemorative and thematic postage stamps and of fishing licenses to foreign vessels, provide additional sources of foreign exchange. Tuvalu's isolation and meager natural resources severely limit prospects for economic self-sufficiency.
Tuvaluan society is egalitarian, democratic, and respectful of human rights.
Social behavior, as determined by custom and tradition, however, is considered as important as the law and is ensured by the village elders. Land is also key to much of the structure of Tuvaluan society. There were no reports of specific human rights abuses in 1993. However, in the traditional culture of the islands, women occupy a subordinate role, with limits on their job opportunities, although recently there has been substantial effort to accord women equality in employment and decisionmaking. There were no politically motivated killings.