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Last update: January, 23 2021

Samoa

flag of Samoa
Government
NameIndependent State of Samoa
SamoanMalo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa
Government typeparliamentary republic
CapitalApia 37,391 (2016))
Currencytālā (WST)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)198,410 (187th)
Density of population68 P/km2
NationalitySamoan
Official languages
Samoan
English
Ethnic groups (2011)
Samoan96%
Other4%
Religions (2016)
Protestant54.9%
Congregationalist29%
Methodist12.4%
Assembly of God6.8%
Seventh Day Adventist4.4%
other Protestant2.3%
Roman Catholic18.8%
Mormon16.9%
Worship Centre2.8%
other Christian3.6%
other2.9%
none0.2%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male71.7 years
Female77.7 years
Total population74.7 years (128th)
Homicides
Total (2013)3.1 per 100,000 people (81st)
Geography
Land area2,821 km2
water area10 km2
total area2,831 km2 (178th)
Lowest point
Pacific Ocean0 m
Highest point
Mount Silisili1,857 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land12.4%
Arable land2.8%
Permanent crops7.8%
Permanent pasture1.8%
Forest60.4%
Other27.2%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)17.9%
Rate of urbanization-0.47% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2016)50,700  (192nd)
Labor force by occupation (2015)
Agriculture65%
Industry6%
Services 29%
Unemployment rate (2017)5.2% (78th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$1.188 billion
Per capita$5,962
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$881 million
Per capita$4,420
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture10.4%
Industry23.6%
Services66%
Exports (2014)$27.5 million (207th)
Exports partners (2017)
Australia22.9%
NZ22.8%
American Samoa22.1%
Afghanistan14.9%
US5.9%
Imports (2018)$89.29 billion (41st)
Imports partners (2017)
NZ22%
Singapore20.7%
US12.5%
China10.1%
Australia8.6%
Fiji5.2%

Samoa on the world map

Samoa on the world map

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Samoa (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 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% (male 5,513/female 7,082)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

food processing, building materials, auto parts

Exports – commodities:

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

Imports – commodities:

machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs

Time zone and current time in Samoa

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Samoa

Sources: