Samoa

Region
🌍 Oceania
Population
👥 205
Currency
💱 Samoan tālā
Languages
🗣️ English, Samoan
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 35 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Independent State of Samoa
Continent
Oceania
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Samoan
Independence
Samoa declared independence from New Zealand on January 1, 1962.
Top-Level Domain
.ws
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+685
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+13:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Apia
ISO Alpha-2
WS
ISO Alpha-3
WSM
UN Code
882
Geographic Coordinates
-13.58333333,-172.33333333
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
2,842#179 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
205,557#188 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
77.94
Highest Point (m)
1,858 meters (Mount Silisili)
Lowest Point (m)
0 meters (Pacific Ocean)
Land Use
Agricultural land comprises about 40% of the land area.
Irrigated Land
Irrigated land is minimal.
Coastline Length
192 kilometers
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October).
Natural Resources
Timber, fish, hydropower.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
No land borders
Major Rivers
This island nation has no major rivers.
Major Lakes
This island nation has no major lakes.
Government Type
Parliamentary democracy
Administrative Divisions
Samoa is divided into 11 districts.
Chief of State
Head of State is the O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State).
Head of Government
Prime Minister
Cabinet
The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister.
Elections
Elections for the Fono (Parliament) are held every five years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and District Courts
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)
Major Political Parties
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST)
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Samoan tālā
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1.29#197 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.04#189 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
5,872.78#130 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
9.09
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
10.17
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
72.09
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.21#121 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
57,776
5#99 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Samoa's public debt is around 40-50% of GDP.
Budget
Samoa's annual budget is around $0.5 billion.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.36#179 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.55#185 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Samoa's foreign reserves are approximately $0.2 billion.
GDP by Sector
The economy of Samoa is primarily based on the service sector (tourism), with contributions from agriculture and industry.
Major Industries
Major industries include tourism, agriculture (copra, taro), and fishing.
Major Export Partners
Major export partners include the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
Major Import Partners
Major import partners include New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.

Society

97.99#43 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
25
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
6.2
Net Migration Rate
The net migration rate for Samoa is typically slightly negative.
Median Age
The median age in Samoa is approximately 24 years.
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
17.51#212 of 214
Urbanization Rate
The urbanization rate in Samoa is about 0.5% annually.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
71.8#137 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Samoa is low.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
6.78
Ethnic Groups
The population of Samoa is predominantly Samoan, with small numbers of Euronesian and European descendants.
Religions
Christianity is the dominant religion in Samoa.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
English, Samoan

Education

Education System
Samoa's education system is based on the New Zealand model, with primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2000)Checked September 29, 2026
12
Government Education Spending
Government expenditure on education in Samoa is a significant portion of the national budget.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
The National University of Samoa is the primary higher education institution.

Culture

Cultural Overview
Samoan culture is rich in traditions, including the fa'a Samoa (Samoan way), emphasizing family, respect, and community.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
  • New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
  • New Year's Day (2026-01-02)
  • Good Friday (2026-04-03)
  • Holy Saturday (2026-04-04)
  • Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
  • Mother's Day (2026-05-11)
  • Independence Day (2026-06-01)
  • Father's Day (2026-08-10)
  • Lotu a Tamaiti (2026-10-12)
  • Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
  • Boxing Day (2026-12-26)
Popular Music
Contemporary Samoan music blends traditional sounds with modern influences, including reggae and pop.
Traditional Food
Traditional Samoan cuisine features dishes like oka (raw fish in coconut milk), palusami (taro leaves baked in coconut cream), and various taro-based dishes.
Sports
Rugby union and rugby league are highly popular sports in Samoa.
Major Festivals
Teuila Festival is a major cultural event featuring traditional dance, music, and other performances.
Famous People
Samoa has produced notable figures in sports (especially rugby), entertainment, and politics.
Cultural Heritage Sites
Samoa has many significant cultural sites, including ancient ceremonial grounds and historical villages.
UNESCO Sites
Samoa has no UNESCO World Heritage Sites currently listed.
Annual Tourist Visits
Around 150,000 to 200,000 visitors annually (pre-COVID).
Tourism Overview
Tourism is a significant part of the economy, focused on natural beauty and Polynesian culture.
Top Tourist Attractions
Beaches, waterfalls, lush rainforests, and cultural villages.
Famous Cities
Apia (capital).
National Parks
Several protected areas and national parks.
Protected Areas
Significant percentage of land is protected.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visa-free entry for many nationalities for tourism.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Generally safe, but monitor for natural disasters like cyclones.

Healthcare

Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index for Samoa is around 50-60.
Medical Cost
Medical costs in Samoa are generally lower than in developed countries.
Number of Hospitals
Samoa has a few hospitals and several clinics.
Universal Healthcare
Samoa provides universal healthcare access through a public health system.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, with hospitals and clinics, but may be limited compared to developed nations.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, but response times may vary.

Emergency & Safety

Emergency Number (Police)
The emergency number for the police is 911.
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
The emergency number for an ambulance is 911.
Emergency Number (Fire)
The emergency number for the fire department is 911.
Crime Rate
Crime rates in Samoa are relatively moderate.
Safety Index
Samoa generally has a good safety index.
Military Expenditure
Samoa does not have military expenditure.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services in Samoa include police, ambulance, and fire departments, accessible via 911.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
Samoa does not maintain a standing military.

Infrastructure

Electricity Access
Access to electricity is generally high in Samoa.
Water Access
Access to clean water is available for the majority of the population.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is generally available.
Railways
Samoa does not have any railways.
Roadways
Samoa has a network of paved and unpaved roads.
Transportation System
The transportation system in Samoa includes roads, domestic flights, and sea transport.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Faleolo International Airport (APW)
Ports
Apia Harbour is the main port in Samoa.
Public Transit
Public transportation primarily consists of buses.

Technology & Communication

Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2014)Checked September 29, 2026
21.2#190 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Over 100 per 100 people.
Tech Startups
Limited information available, but a small tech scene exists.
Innovation Index
Not readily available; likely low due to limited technological infrastructure.
ICT Development Index
Likely low due to infrastructure limitations.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited number of stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Several radio stations.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
1.6#125 of 202
Air Quality Index
Data on air quality is limited but generally considered good.
Water Pollution Level
Some coastal water pollution from sewage and agricultural runoff.
Renewable Energy Usage
Significant reliance on renewable energy, particularly hydropower, with increasing solar adoption.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change impacts like sea-level rise are major concerns.
Natural Hazards
Cyclones, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and earthquakes are potential threats.
Waste Management
Challenges in waste disposal, limited recycling, and open dumping are common.
Environmental Agreements
Party to major international environmental agreements, including climate change and biodiversity.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Has diplomatic missions in several countries, including the United States and New Zealand.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Commonwealth
Major Treaties
Party to major treaties addressing climate change, biodiversity and other environmental concerns.
Visa-Free Countries
Offers visa-free access to many countries; specific lists vary and are subject to change.

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