World · permanent entity record · NE

Niue

Thirty-second orientation

Niue at a glance

Capital: Alofi; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 1,815 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Area: 260 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Niuean(s); adjective: Niuean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary democracy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Niuean 46% (official, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Maintained profile

Capital: Alofi; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 260 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 1,815 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Estimate year is retained in the value. Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired.
Currency: New Zealand dollars (NZD); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Niuean 46% (official, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Niuean(s); adjective: Niuean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary democracy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: Not a UN member; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04No admission date appears in the UN member-state register.
Continent: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
Coastline: 64 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Ekalesia Niue 61.7%, Latter Day Saints 8.7%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, other 8.2%, not stated 5.1%, none 3.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: yellow, blue, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: yellow five-pointed star; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake · 262 ft (80 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2025-12-30Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2025-12-30 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Voyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900, and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. Samoan and Tongan customs heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide elected kingship system in the early 1700s. In 1774, British explorer James COOK landed on the island and named it Savage Island because of the Niueans' hostility. Missionaries arrived in 1830 but were also largely unsuccessful at staying on the island until 1846, when a Niuean trained as a Samoan missionary returned to the island and provided a space from which the missionaries could work. In addition to converting the population, the missionaries worked to stop the violent conflicts and helped establish the first parliament in 1849. Great Britain established a protectorate over Niue in 1900. The following year, Niue was annexed to New Zealand and included as part of the Cook Islands. Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences with the Cook Islands led New Zealand to separate Niue into its own administration in 1904. The island became internally self-governing in 1974; it is an independent member of international organizations but is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized Niue as a sovereign and independent state.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Area: total : 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Coastline: 64 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Elevation: highest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake 80 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Natural resources: arable land, fish; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 18.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.6% (2023 est.) other: 9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Population distribution: population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Natural hazards: tropical cyclones; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands; the only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central western part of the coast; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

People and Society18 fields

Population: total: 1,815 (2024 est.) male: 877 (2024 est.) female: 938 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Nationality: noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Ethnic groups: Niuean 65.4%, part-Niuean 14%, non-Niuean 20.6% (2017 est.) note: data represent the resident population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Languages: Niuean 46% (official, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Religions: Ekalesia Niue 61.7%, Latter Day Saints 8.7%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, other 8.2%, not stated 5.1%, none 3.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.6 (2024) youth dependency ratio: 38.2 (2024) elderly dependency ratio: 26.4 (2024) potential support ratio: 3.8 (2024); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Population growth rate: -0.03% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Population distribution: population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 48.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1,000 ALOFI (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Life expectancy at birth: male: 71.8 years (2016) female: 75.7 years (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Drinking water source: total: 97% of population (2022 est.) total: 3% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Health expenditure: 7.8% of GDP (2020) 6.9% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Sanitation facility access: total: 97.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.6% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 50% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 8.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Education expenditure: 5.6% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Literacy: total population: 99.5% (2022 est.) male: 100% (2022 est.) female: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Environment7 fields

Environmental issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash-and-burn agriculture; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 18.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.6% (2023 est.) other: 9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 48.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 9,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 9,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Government21 fields

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island etymology: the origin of the name is obscure; in Niuean, the word translates as "behold the coconut;" the former name, Savage Island, was the result of an acrimonious meeting in 1774 between English explorer Captain James COOK and local people note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; under the Niue Constitution Act of 1974, New Zealand provides necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue, as well as assistance with foreign affairs, defense, and security if requested; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Capital: name: Alofi geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: a traditional name for an area of the island; became the name for the newly declared capital in the 20th century; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Administrative divisions: no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 14 villages are considered second-order; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Legal system: English common law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Constitution: history: several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974) amendment process: proposed by the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and approval by at least two-thirds majority votes in a referendum; passage of amendments to a number of sections, including Niue’s self-governing status, British nationality and New Zealand citizenship, external affairs and defense, economic and administrative assistance by New Zealand, and amendment procedures, requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and at least two thirds of votes in a referendum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark GIBBS (since 5 March 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Dalton TAGELAGI; also referred to as premier (since 10 June 2020) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly for a 3-year term most recent election date: 8 May 2023 election results: Dalton TAGELAGI reelected prime minister; Legislative Assembly vote - Dalton TAGELAGI (independent) 16, O'Love JACOBSEN (independent) 4 expected date of next election: 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Niue Assembly (Fono Ekepule) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 20 electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 29 April 2023 parties elected and seats per party: independents (20) percentage of women in chamber: 15% expected date of next election: April 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68 subordinate courts: High Court note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Political parties: none; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Niue; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Independence: 19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Flag: description: yellow with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the UK flag has five yellow five-pointed stars, with a large star on a blue disk in the center and smaller stars on each arm of the red cross meaning: the large star represents Niue, and the smaller stars symbolize links with New Zealand; yellow stands for sunshine, as well as the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
National symbol(s): yellow five-pointed star; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
National color(s): yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven) lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA history: adopted 1974 title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: in use since 1745; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Economy10 fields

Economic overview: upper-middle-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; environmentally fragile; massive emigration; post-pandemic tourism rebound; postage stamps, small-scale agricultural processing, and subsistence farming; most recent Asian Development Bank member; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.7 million (2021 est.) $19.9 million (2020 est.) $20.9 million (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Real GDP per capita: $11,100 (2021 est.) $11,800 (2020 est.) $12,400 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2009 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Agricultural products: coconuts, taro, fruits, sweet potatoes, tropical fruits, yams, vegetables, lemons/limes, bananas, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Industries: handicrafts, food processing; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Exports - partners: USA 54%, Germany 8%, Canada 5%, UK 5%, Guatemala 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Exports - commodities: abrasive powder, coin (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Imports - partners: NZ 87%, Fiji 6%, UAE 2%, Slovakia 1%, Australia 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, plastic products, machine parts, construction vehicles, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Energy3 fields

Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 3 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 400,000 kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 61 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Communications4 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV station, with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Internet country code: .nu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 80% (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Transportation3 fields

Airports: 1 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Merchant marine: total: 70 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 2, general cargo 29, oil tanker 4, other 30; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Alofi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: no regular indigenous military forces; Niue Police Department; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source
Military - note: under the Niue Constitution Act of 1974, New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs, defense, and security if requested by the Niue government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2025-12-30 · source

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