World · permanent entity record · WS

Samoa

Thirty-second orientation

Samoa at a glance

Capital: Apia; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 219,306; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 2,831 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Samoan(s); adjective: Samoan; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Samoa through time

1976-12-15
Admitted to the United Nations
Samoa became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	219,306World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 210,223 (2025 est.) male: 106,542 female: 103,681CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $1.3 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $5,873; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 71.8 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 17.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 21.2%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2014 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2014; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: ITU estimate., Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Apia; 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: 2,831 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: 219,306; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: tala (SAT); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 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: Samoan(s); adjective: Samoan; 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 republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1976-12-15; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
Coastline: 403 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, blue, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Mount Silisili · 6,093 ft (1,857 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved 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 2026-01-18Preserved 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 2026-01-18 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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. A Dutch explorer was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s and were followed by an influx of American and European settlers and influence. By the 1880s, Germany, the UK, and the US had trading posts and claimed parts of the kingdom. In 1886, an eight-year civil war broke out, with rival matai factions fighting over royal succession and the three foreign powers providing support to the factions. Germany, the UK, and the US all sent warships to Apia in 1889 and came close to conflict, but a cyclone damaged or destroyed the ships of all three navies. At the end of the civil war in 1894, Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king, but upon his death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. When the war ended in 1899, 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. New Zealand occupied Samoa during World War I but was accused of negligence and opposed by many Samoans, particularly an organized political movement called the Mau (“Strongly Held View”) that advocated for independence. During the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, about 20% of the population died. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful Mau 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 dominated politics from 1982 until Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata'afa's Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party gained a majority in elections in 2021.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area: total : 2,831 sq km land: 2,821 sq km water: 10 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Coastline: 403 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Terrain: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 17.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 24.6% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: about three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural hazards: occasional cyclones; active volcanism volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m) is historically active; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

People and Society33 fields

Population: total: 210,223 (2025 est.) male: 106,542 female: 103,681; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Ethnic groups: Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.) note: data represent the population by country of citizenship; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.9% (male 28,952/female 27,173) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 70,225/female 67,427) 65 years and over: 7.2% (2024 est.) (male 6,743/female 8,333); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 40.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.8 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Median age: total: 27.8 years (2025 est.) male: 27 years female: 27.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population growth rate: 0.66% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Birth rate: 18.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Death rate: 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Net migration rate: -6.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: about three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 17.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major urban areas - population: 36,000 APIA (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 101 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.) male: 72.8 years female: 78.7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.12 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Health expenditure: 6.8% of GDP (2021) 15.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Physician density: 0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 47.3% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 2.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Tobacco use: total: 20.5% (2025 est.) male: 28.6% (2025 est.) female: 12.3% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 62% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9% (2020) women married by age 18: 7.4% (2020) men married by age 18: 2% (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Education expenditure: 5.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 11.7% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Literacy: total population: 98% (2019 est.) male: 98.3% (2019 est.) female: 97.7% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Environment8 fields

Environmental issues: soil erosion; deforestation; invasive species; overfishing; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International environmental 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 17.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 24.6% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 17.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 27,400 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 57.6% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Government22 fields

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 name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Government type: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Capital: name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legal system: mixed system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts involving fundamental citizen rights; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Constitution: history: several previous (pre-independence); latest 1 January 1962 amendment process: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017) head of government: Prime Minister LA'AULIALEMALIETOA La'auli Leuatea Schmidt (since 16 September 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2-term limit); following legislative elections, the chief of state usually appoints the leader of the majority party as prime minister, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly most recent election date: 23 August 2022 election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (independent) unanimously reelected by the Legislative Assembly expected date of next election: 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Fono) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 51 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 8/29/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) (32); Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) (22), Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) (3), Independents (4) percentage of women in chamber: 9.8% expected date of next election: August 2030; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): 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 on 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 chief councils; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Political parties: Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) Tautua Samoa Party or TSP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN 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: samoa@samoanymission.ws About | Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Flag: description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper-left quadrant; on the rectangle are five five-pointed white stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red stands for courage, blue for freedom, and white for purity note: similar to the flag of Taiwan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National color(s): red, white, blue; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National anthem(s): title: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom) lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA history: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Economy29 fields

Economic overview: ower middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous fishing and agriculture industries; significant remittances; growing offshore financial hub; recently hosted Pacific Games to drive tourism and infrastructure growth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.503 billion (2024 est.) $1.374 billion (2023 est.) $1.258 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 9.4% (2024 est.) 9.2% (2023 est.) -5.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP per capita: $6,900 (2024 est.) $6,300 (2023 est.) $5,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.068 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2024 est.) 7.9% (2023 est.) 11% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11% (2024 est.) industry: 10.9% (2024 est.) services: 72.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 80.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 2.3% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 29.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -53.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Agricultural products: coconuts, bananas, taro, tropical fruits, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, root vegetables, milk, avocados (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Labor force: 57,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Unemployment rate: 4.6% (2024 est.) 5% (2023 est.) 5.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 11.9% (2024 est.) male: 7.4% (2024 est.) female: 20.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population below poverty line: 21.9% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Remittances: 26.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 28.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 33.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Budget: revenues: $371.764 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $326.052 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Public debt: 52.6% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 26.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Current account balance: $64.616 million (2024 est.) $40.177 million (2023 est.) -$74.039 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports: $369.73 million (2024 est.) $346.187 million (2023 est.) $175.377 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - partners: India 26%, NZ 14%, USA 12%, American Samoa 10%, Australia 9% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, integrated circuits, coconut oil, fish, insulated wire (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports: $575.749 million (2024 est.) $560.776 million (2023 est.) $512.021 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - partners: NZ 20%, Singapore 19%, China 17%, Australia 10%, Fiji 9% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, poultry, cars, plastic products, milk (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $507.74 million (2024 est.) $447.09 million (2023 est.) $321.163 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Debt - external: $269.974 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exchange rates: tala (SAT) per US dollar - 2.754 (2024 est.) 2.738 (2023 est.) 2.689 (2022 est.) 2.556 (2021 est.) 2.665 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 98.3% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 97.9%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 54,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 141.846 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 17.284 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 18.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 23.476 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 134,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadcast media: state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned TV stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet country code: .ws; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 58% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Transportation4 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Airports: 4 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Merchant marine: total: 13 (2023) by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 1, other 9; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Apia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Samoa Police Service (includes a maritime unit) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military - note: informal defense ties exist with New Zealand, which pledged to afford assistance to Samoa in the conduct of its international relations under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship; New Zealand naval vessels patrol Samoan waters Samoa has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Somoa's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

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Samoa at a glance

Samoa through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile