| Introduction | Predominantly Protestant missions were established in the last century. With the arrival of traders, chiefly British, German and American, came a recurrence of traditional tribal conflicts. Eventually Germany annexed the west and the USA the east (it is still a US territory). New Zealand took Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War One and on 1 January 1962 (Western) Samoa became independent from New Zealand administered UN trusteeship when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. Democratic traditions and a strong social system based on village communities and extended family ties continue to play a major role in maintaining peace in Samoan society. The extended family, the aiga, is the foundation of the fa'a-samoa (traditional way of life). The head of each aiga is the matai (customary chief), who is elected by family members. Traditionally, the family matai is responsible for maintaining the family's dignity and well-being by administering family affairs. More than 80% of the population lives under the matai system. Particularly strong in the rural areas and at village level, it functions as a safety net in providing social and financial security. Many Samoans who are resident abroad continue to honour their 'social obligations' by sending significant amounts of money to their extended families and churches. (Source: World Health Organisation at http://www.wpro.who.int/countries/sma/) |
| Population | Population: 185,000 Population growth rate: -0.23% (2005) Life expectancy: 73.2 years |
| Geography | The country is divided into four major statistical regions: Apia Urban Area (AUA), North West Upolu, Rest of Upolu (including Manono and Apolima Islands) and Savaii. AUA represents the urban area, while the other three regions make up the rural population. two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior. Samoa's natural resources consist of hardwood forests, fish and hydropower. 21.2% of its land is arable, 24.38% is permanent crops and other uses make up 54.42% of its land use. Its natural hazards are occasional typhoons and active volcanism. |
| Religion | Congregational Christian Church (EFKS) 33.8%, Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 14.3%, Later Day Saints 13.3%, Assembly Of God 6.9%, Seven Day Adventists 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 0.8%, Full Gospel 0.5%, Christian Community 0.5%, Bahai 0.4%, CCCJ Samoa 0.4%, Voice of Christ 0.4%, Church of Nazarene 0.4%, Aoga Tusi Paia 0.3%, Pentecost 0.3%, Baptist 0.2%, Peace Chapel 0.2%, Samoa Evagelism 0.2%, Protestants 0.2%, Anglican Church 0.1%, Elim Church 0.1%, Christian Fellowship 0.1%, Others 0.3%, Not stated 2.0%. (2006 census) |
| Government | Government type: Democracy Chief of State Tui Atua Tupua Tupuola Efi TAMASESE (since 16 June, 2007 for a five-year term) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILAEPA (since November 1998) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister from among the members of parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website.) Elections: The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held in April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) |
| Economics | GDP (purchasing power parity) US$496.48 Million The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 122,000 tourists visited the islands in 2007. In late 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. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. (Source: The World Factbook). |
| Health | The health status is generally good. All health indicators have improved in recent years. There is high immunization coverage and most communicable diseases are well controlled. Epidemiological transition is taking place with most deaths now due to noncommunicable diseases and accidents. Typhoid and dengue are both endemic and periodically reach epidemic levels. Millennium Development Goals indicators. Life expectancy at birth for males is 66 and women 70 years. Healthty life expectancy at birth for males is 59 and females 60 years (2003). Total expenditure on health per capita $232 USD. Total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP is 4.9% (2006) Source: World Health Organisation. The incidence of HIV/AIDS is low, with a cumulative total of 12 known cases since 1990. |
| Legislation | http://www.paclii.org/databases.html#WS |
| Related Websites | The World Factbook - Samoa UNICEF - Samoa UNDP - Samoa World Health Organization - Samoa |