Topic: Photos of Samoa

Topic: Introduction
Background: 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. Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, converting most of the population. In the 1850s, Apia became a center for Pacific trading and hosted an American commercial agent and British and German consuls. In 1892, American traders convinced the Samoan king to align his country’s date with the US, moving to the east of the International Date Line.

Following the death of the Samoan king in 1841, rival families competed for his titles, devolving into civil war in 1886 with factions getting support from either Germany, the UK, or the US. All three countries sent warships to Apia in 1889, presaging a larger war, but a cyclone destroyed the ships and Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king. Upon LAUPEPA’s death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. The war ended in 1899 and 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.

The Mau, a non-violent popular movement to advocate for Samoan independence, formed in 1908. New Zealand annexed Samoa in 1914 after the outbreak of World War I. Opposition to New Zealand’s rule quickly grew. In 1918, a New Zealand ship introduced the Spanish flu, infecting 90% of the population and killing more than 20%. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful 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 has dominated politics since 1982, especially under Prime Minister Sailele TUILAEPA, who has been in power since 1998.

In the late 2000s, Samoa began making efforts to align more closely with Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, Samoa changed its driving orientation to the left side of the road, in line with other Commonwealth countries. In 2011, Samoa jumped forward one day - skipping December 30 - by moving to the west side of the International Date Line so that it was one hour ahead of New Zealand and three hours ahead of the east coast of Australia, rather than 23 and 21 hours behind, respectively.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 2,831 sq km

land: 2,821 sq km

water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Terrain: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation: highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 60.4% (2018 est.)

other: 27.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
Natural hazards: occasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically activeoccasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active
Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
Map description: Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 206,179 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Samoan(s)

adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups: Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.)

note: data represent the population by country of citizenship
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.)
Religions: 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: 29.31% (male 30,825/female 28,900)

15-24 years: 19.61% (male 20,519/female 19,439)

25-54 years: 37.4% (male 39,011/female 37,200)

55-64 years: 7.5% (male 7,780/female 7,505)

65 years and over: 6.18% (2020 est.) (male 5,513/female 7,082)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 73.3

youth dependency ratio: 64.5

elderly dependency ratio: 8.8

potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 25.6 years

male: 25.3 years

female: 26 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.63% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 19.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 36,000 APIA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.6 years (2009 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.19 years

male: 72.28 years

female: 78.25 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 16.6% (2019/20)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 98% of population

total: 98.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 2% of population

total: 1.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.6 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 99.5% of population

total: 99.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 0.5% of population

total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 47.3% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 25.3% (2020 est.)

male: 36.1% (2020 est.)

female: 14.5% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2019/20)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9%

women married by age 18: 7.4%

men married by age 18: 2% (2020 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.1%

male: 99%

female: 99.2% (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9%

male: 24.6%

female: 43.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.56 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.25 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.27 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 60.4% (2018 est.)

other: 27.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 27,399 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 9,864 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2013 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa

conventional short form: Samoa

local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa

local short form: Samoa

former: Western Samoa

etymology: the meaning of Samoa is disputed; some modern explanations are that the "sa" connotes  "sacred" and "moa" indicates "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assertions state that it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; the name, however, may go back to Proto-Polynesian (PPn) times (before 1000 B.C.); a plausible PPn reconstruction has the first syllable as "sa'a" meaning "tribe or people" and "moa" meaning "deep sea or ocean" to convey the meaning "people of the deep sea"
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Apia

geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W

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

etymology: name derives from the native village around which the capital was constructed in the 1850s; the village still exists within the larger modern capital
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
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
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
Constitution: history: several previous (preindependence); latest 1 January 1962

amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2020
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
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: 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
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata’afa (since 24 May 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice

elections/appointments: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2- term limit); election last held on 4 July 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state, approved by the Legislative Assembly

election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly on 5 July 2017
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (53 seats for 2021-2026 term); members from 51 single-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote, with a minimum 10% representation of women in the Assembly required; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - HRPP 55%, FAST 37%, TSP 3%, independents 5%; seats by party – FAST 30, HRPP 22, independents 1; composition - men 47, women 6, percent of women 11.3%
note - on 29 November 2021, the Election Commissioner added two women seats to parliament, bringing the HRPP’s total from 20 to 22 seats
Judicial branch: highest courts: 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 chief 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 serve until retirement at age 68

subordinate courts: District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village fono or village chief councils
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi]
Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST [FIAME Naomi Mata'afa]
Tautua Samoa Party or TSP [Afualo Wood Uti SALELE]
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021)

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

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196

FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

email address and website:
samoanymission@outlook.com

https://www.un.int/samoa/samoa/embassy-independent-state-samoa-united-states-america

consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa

embassy: 5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia

mailing address: 4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400

telephone: [685] 21-436

FAX: [685] 22-030

email address and website:
ApiaConsular@state.gov

https://ws.usembassy.gov/
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

note: similar to the flag of Taiwan
National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (five, five-pointed stars); national colors: red, white, blue
National anthem: name: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)

lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA

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

Topic: Economy
Economic 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 $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds 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.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 $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds 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.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.25 billion (2020 est.)

$1.28 billion (2019 est.)

$1.24 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)

7.1% (2016 est.)

1.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $6,300 (2020 est.)

$6,500 (2019 est.)

$6,300 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $841 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2017 est.)

0.1% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.6% (2017 est.)

services: 66% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: NA

government consumption: NA

investment in fixed capital: NA

investment in inventories: NA

exports of goods and services: 27.2% (2015 est.)

imports of goods and services: -50.5% (2015 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork
Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts
Industrial production growth rate: -1.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 50,700 (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65%

industry: 6%

services: 29% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2017 est.)

5.5% (2016 est.)

NA
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9%

male: 24.6%

female: 43.4% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 20.3% (2013 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.7 (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 237.3 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 276.8 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 49.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

52.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: June 1 - May 31
Current account balance: -$19 million (2017 est.)

-$37 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $310 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: American Samoa 21%, United States 13%, New Zealand 12%, Australia 10%, Tokelau 6%, Taiwan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, fish, fruit juice, coconut oil, beer (2019)
Imports: $430 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$312.6 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: New Zealand 22%, China 16%, Singapore 13%, United States 10%, Australia 9%, South Korea 8%, Fiji 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, iron products, poultry meats, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $133 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$122.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $447.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
Exchange rates: tala (SAT) per US dollar -

2.54712 (2020 est.)

2.65534 (2019 est.)

2.57069 (2018 est.)

2.5609 (2014 est.)

2.3318 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 50,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 120.13 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 15 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 72.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 2,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,363 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 27.111 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 69,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Samoa was one of the first Pacific Island countries to establish a regulatory infrastructure and to liberalize its telecom market; in 2006, it became the first country in the region to see the market entrance of Digicel, which has since launched services in other Pacific nations; the advent of competition in the mobile market saw prices fall by around 50% and network coverage increase to more than 90% of the population; Samoa also boasts one of the highest rates of mobile phone coverage in the Pacific region; LTE is developing on the back of an initial launch of the technology in 2016 by Digicel Samoa, followed by BlueSky Samoa (now Vodafone Samoa) in 2017;  Digicel Samoa completed its LTE network in September 2020; the growth of fixed-line internet has been impeded by factors including the high costs for bandwidth, under investment in fixed-line infrastructure, as well as a strained consumer profile weighing on demand for services; Digicel Samoa’s financially troubled parent company, Digicel Pacific, had been on the lookout for a potential buyer for several months as it struggled financially; after various Chinese firms registered interest in taking a stake, the Australian government sought to block further Chinese investment in the region by providing financial support for a local buyer; in October 2021, Telstra agreed to acquire Digicel Group’s Pacific operations for around $1.6 billion, with a financial input from the Australian government of around $1.33 billion, Samoa’s telecoms sector has been inhibited by a lack of international connectivity; Samoa has had access to the Samoa-America-Samoa (SAS) cable laid in 2009, this cable has insufficient capacity to meet the country’s future bandwidth needs; this issue was addressed with two new submarine cables that became available in 2018 and 2019; combined with the Samoa National Broadband Highway (SNBH), have improved internet data rates and reliability, and have helped to reduce the high costs previously associated with internet access in Samoa; in April 2022, the Samoan government announced its decision to take over control of the Samoa Submarine Cable Company, looking to the cable to generate additional revenue for the state. (2022)

domestic: fixed-line roughly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 64 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 685; landing points for the Tui-Samo, Manatua, SAS, and Southern Cross NEXT submarine cables providing connectivity to Samoa, Fiji, Wallis & Futuna, Cook Islands, Niue, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Los Angeles (US), and Tokelau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
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 (2019)
Internet country code: .ws
Internet users: total: 67,012 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 34% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,692 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 137,770 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5W
Airports: total: 4 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,150 km (2018)
Merchant marine: total: 12

by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 6 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Apia

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Correction Services) (2022)
Military - note: informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified


Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, with the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.

Topic: Afghanistanlowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 24% (2008)

Topic: Albanialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: Algerialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)

Topic: American Samoalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Andorralowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Angolalowest 10%: 0.6%

highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)

Topic: Anguillalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Antigua and Barbudalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Argentinalowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 31% (2017 est.)

Topic: Armenialowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2014)

Topic: Arubalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Australialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)

Topic: Austrialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 23.5% (2012 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijanlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 27.4% (2008)

Topic: Bahamas, Thelowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.)

Topic: Bahrainlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bangladeshlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)

Topic: Barbadoslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Belaruslowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 21.9% (2008)

Topic: Belgiumlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Topic: Belizelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Beninlowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 29% (2003)

Topic: Bermudalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bhutanlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 30.6% (2012)

Topic: Bolivialowest 10%: 0.9%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2014 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinalowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 25.8% (2011 est.)

Topic: Botswanalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Brazillowest 10%: 0.8%

highest 10%: 43.4% (2016 est.)

Topic: British Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bruneilowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bulgarialowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 31.2% (2017)

Topic: Burkina Fasolowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)

Topic: Burmalowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Topic: Burundilowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 28% (2006)

Topic: Cabo Verdelowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)

Topic: Cambodialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.)

Topic: Cameroonlowest 10%: 37.5%

highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)

Topic: Canadalowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2000)

Topic: Cayman Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Central African Republiclowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 33% (2003)

Topic: Chadlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.8% (2003)

Topic: Chilelowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 41.5% (2013 est.)

Topic: Chinalowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 31.4% (2012)

note: data are for urban households only

Topic: Colombialowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: Comoroslowest 10%: 0.9%

highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2006)

Topic: Congo, Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)

Topic: Cook Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Costa Ricalowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirelowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 31.8% (2008)

Topic: Croatialowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 23% (2015 est.)

Topic: Cubalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Cypruslowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 28.8% (2014)

Topic: Czechialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 21.7% (2015 est.)

Topic: Denmarklowest 10%: 9%

highest 10%: 23.4% (2016 est.)

Topic: Djiboutilowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 30.9% (2002)

Topic: Dominicalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Dominican Republiclowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.)

Topic: Ecuadorlowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est.)

note: data are for urban households only

Topic: Egyptlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.6% (2008)

Topic: El Salvadorlowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinealowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Eritrealowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Estonialowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)

Topic: Eswatinilowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.)

Topic: Ethiopialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 25.6% (2005)

Topic: European Unionlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2016 est.)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Faroe Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Fijilowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.)

Topic: Finlandlowest 10%: 6.7%

highest 10%: 45.2% (2013)

Topic: Francelowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 25.4% (2013)

Topic: French Polynesialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Gabonlowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)

Topic: Gambia, Thelowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)

Topic: Georgialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)

Topic: Germanylowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 24% (2000)

Topic: Ghanalowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)

Topic: Gibraltarlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Greecelowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 26.7% (2015 est.)

Topic: Greenlandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Grenadalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guamlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guatemalalowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)

Topic: Guernseylowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guinealowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)

Topic: Guinea-Bissaulowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 28% (2002)

Topic: Guyanalowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)

Topic: Haitilowest 10%: 0.7%

highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)

Topic: Honduraslowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)

Topic: Hong Konglowest 10%: 1.8% NA

highest 10%: 38.1% (2016) NA

Topic: Hungarylowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 22.4% (2015)

Topic: Icelandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Indialowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 29.8% (2011)

Topic: Indonesialowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.2% (2010)

Topic: Iranlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)

Topic: Iraqlowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2007 est.)

Topic: Irelandlowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)

Topic: Isle of Manlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Israellowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2010)

Topic: Italylowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2000)

Topic: Jamaicalowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 29.3% (2015)

Topic: Japanlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2008)

Topic: Jerseylowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Jordanlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstanlowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 23.3% (2016)

Topic: Kenyalowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)

Topic: Kiribatilowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Korea, Northlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Korea, Southlowest 10%: 6.8%

highest 10%: 48.5% (2015 est.)

Topic: Kosovolowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 22% (2015 est.)

Topic: Kuwaitlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Kyrgyzstanlowest 10%: 4.4%

highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Laoslowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)

Topic: Latvialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 26.3% (2015)

Topic: Lebanonlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Lesotholowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 39.4% (2003)

Topic: Liberialowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)

Topic: Libyalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Liechtensteinlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Lithuanialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 28.8% (2015)

Topic: Luxembourglowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)

Topic: Macaulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Madagascarlowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Topic: Malawilowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.)

Topic: Malaysialowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)

Topic: Maldiveslowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)

Topic: Malilowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.8% (2010 est.)

Topic: Maltalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Marshall Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mauritanialowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2000)

Topic: Mauritiuslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mexicolowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 40% (2014)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oflowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Moldovalowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.)

Topic: Monacolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mongolialowest 10%: 13.7%

highest 10%: 5.7% (2017)

Topic: Montenegrolowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2014 est.)

Topic: Montserratlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Moroccolowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)

Topic: Mozambiquelowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 36.7% (2008)

Topic: Namibialowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 42% (2010)

Topic: Naurulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Nepallowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)

Topic: Netherlandslowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 24.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: New Caledonialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: New Zealandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Nicaragualowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 47.1% (2014)

Topic: Nigerlowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)

Topic: Nigerialowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 38.2% (2010 est.)

Topic: Niuelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: North Macedonialowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 25% (2015 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Norwaylowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 21.2% (2014)

Topic: Omanlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Pakistanlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013)

Topic: Palaulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Panamalowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinealowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Topic: Paraguaylowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.)

Topic: Perulowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2010 est.)

Topic: Philippineslowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.)

Topic: Polandlowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 23.9% (2015 est.)

Topic: Portugallowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 25.9% (2015 est.)

Topic: Puerto Ricolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Qatarlowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)

Topic: Romanialowest 10%: 15.3%

highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)

Topic: Russialowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)

Topic: Rwandalowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevislowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Lucialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Samoalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: San Marinolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Sao Tome and Principelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saudi Arabialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Senegallowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 31.1% (2011)

Topic: Serbialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2011)

Topic: Seychelleslowest 10%: 4.7%

highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)

Topic: Sierra Leonelowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)

Topic: Singaporelowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 27.5% (2017)

Topic: Slovakialowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 19.3% (2015 est.)

Topic: Slovenialowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 20.1% (2016)

Topic: Solomon Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Somalialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: South Africalowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.)

Topic: Spainlowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 24% (2011)

Topic: Sri Lankalowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)

Topic: Sudanlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 26.7% (2009 est.)

Topic: Surinamelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Swedenlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 24% (2012)

Topic: Switzerlandlowest 10%: 7.5%

highest 10%: 19% (2007)

Topic: Syrialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Taiwanlowest 10%: 6.4% (2010)

highest 10%: 40.3% (2010)

Topic: Tajikistanlowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA

highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA

Topic: Tanzanialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)

Topic: Thailandlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 31.5% (2009 est.)

Topic: Timor-Lestelowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2007)

Topic: Togolowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 27.1% (2006)

Topic: Tongalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Tunisialowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)

Topic: Turkmenistanlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Tuvalulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Ugandalowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.)

Topic: Ukrainelowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 21.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirateslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: United Kingdomlowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 31.1% (2012)

Topic: United Stateslowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)

Topic: Uruguaylowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistanlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)

Topic: Vanuatulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Venezuelalowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)

Topic: Vietnamlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)

Topic: Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Wallis and Futunalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: West Banklowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip

Topic: Worldlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.2% (2008 est.)

Topic: Yemenlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.)

Topic: Zambialowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 47.4% (2010)

Topic: Zimbabwelowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 40.4% (1995)


Topic: Introduction
Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa.Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 581,730 sq km

land: 566,730 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,384,246 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%
Languages: Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)
Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.4% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Gaborone
Executive branch: chief of state: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: good economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challengesgood economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.72 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $16,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions
Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles
Exports: $6.16 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019)
Imports: $7.44 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022


Topic: Introduction
Background: Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 224 sq km

land: 224 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Natural resources: pumice, pumicite

Topic: People and Society
Population: 45,443 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Pacific Islander 92.6% (includes Samoan 88.9%, Tongan 2.9%, other .8%), Asian 3.6% (includes Filipino 2.2%, other 1.4%), mixed 2.7%, other 1.2% (2010 est.)
Languages: Samoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, other Pacific islander 3%, other 1.8% (2010 est.)
Religions: Christian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.92% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches;
Capital: name: Pago Pago
Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (since 3 January 2021)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Legislature or Fono consists of:
Senate (18 seats; members indirectly selected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms)
House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members directly elected by simple majority vote and 1 decided by public meeting on Swains Island; members serve 2-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $658 million (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $11,200 (2016 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Exports: $428 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: Australia 25%, Ghana 19%, Indonesia 15.6%, Burma 10.4%, Portugal 5.1% (2017)
Exports - commodities: canned tuna
Imports: $615 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: Fiji 10.7%, Singapore 10.4%, NZ 10.4%, South Korea 9.3%, Samoa 8.2%, Kenya 6.4%, Australia 5.2% (2017)
Imports - commodities: raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and partsPage last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022