Tuvalu
Year
DEMOGRAPHICS, GENDER AND POVERTY
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Ministry of Health
P.O. Box 36, Funafuti, Tuvalu
Tel:Health Division: (688) 20765
Fax:Health Division: (688) 20481
WHO Representative in the South Pacific
Level 4, Provident Plaza 1,
Downtown Boulevard,
33 Ellery Street, Suva
P.O. Box 113, Suva, Fiji
Tel:(679) 3-304600 / 3-304631
Fax:(679) 3-300462
who@sp.wpro.who.int
Tuvalu is one of the smallest independent countries in the world, comprising nine low-lying atolls with a total land area of only 25.63 square kilometres. With an estimated population of 9600 in 2004, the country has a very high population density. About 47% of the population reside in urban areas.
Gender equality has been achieved in primary and secondary school enrolment.
Tuvalu’s main resource is considered to be its ocean, but the country will need vast financial resources, technology and manpower to fully tap its potential. The poor sandy soil requires intensive agricultural input so that vegetable and fruit can be grown. There is very little industry, although there are small government and family-owned businesses that cater for tourists, and a new fishing industry is being developed. In 2002, (39%) of the population were employed. Of these, the majority (54%) owned their businesses, 9% were selling fish, handicrafts and other local items, 2% were in other forms of employment, and 6.2% earned no income.
Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations
used on this map do not imply the expression of an opinion whatsoever on the
part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any
country, territory, city or areas or its authorities, or concerning the
delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.