Demographics
In 2007, estimates put Samoa’s population at 186 650, with around 39.8% composed of young people aged less than 15 years and only 4% aged 65 years and over. 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.
The health status of the population has improved significantly, and Samoans now enjoy relatively good health. Life expectancy is 72.8 according to the 2001 census, compared with 66.4 years ten years previously.
Gender issues, such as the promotion and protection of women's rights, gender equity and women and HIV/AIDS are of high importance in Samoan society. The level of women’s participation in the paid labour force is relatively high, and their access to education and achievement in the formal educational system is virtually equal to men. Women occupy a number of senior positions in the public sector. The church plays a key role in influencing public opinion and in education through the provision of schools at all levels.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Samoa 77th out of 177 countries. Based on the HDI, Samoa has one of the higher levels of social development rankings in the Pacific, showing higher overall educational and health standards than other Pacific islands.
Political situation
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 administrating 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.
The national system of government is based on the British Westminster model, with a combination of traditional and democratic features. Universal suffrage has applied since 1991 but, with the exception of two seats reserved for voters considered to be outside the governance of the matai system (out of a total of 49 seats), only matai can stand for parliament. The Human Rights Protection Party has been in power continuously for almost 20 years. The coalition forming the opposition comprises the Samoan National Development Party and eight independent members.
During 40 years of independence, Samoa has been able to create a stable political environment and to stimulate economic growth through sound macroeconomic management. Over the past 10 years, it has sought to address the challenges of social and economic reforms. Since the early 1990s, the Government has committed itself to the promotion of good governance. Human rights are respected overall. The ongoing Economic and Public Sector Reform Programme (since 1996) has instigated institutional reforms in public services and in several public sector agencies, which has led to improvement of the governance framework. Performance budgeting has encouraged greater efficiency, accountability and transparency. Equally, economic reforms are considered to be crucial for Samoa in the pursuit of the Government’s goals to improve the living standards and the welfare of the people.
Since 1996/1997, the Government’s national policy framework and development strategies have been set out in annual statements of economic strategy (SES), currently the Strategy for the development of Samoa 2008–2012, which highlight the vision ”improved quality of life for all”.
Socioeconomic situation
The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agriculture and fishing. Agriculture still plays an important role in the economy. Village agriculture provides food security and support to the agro-based industries, such as coconut cream, oil and desiccated coconut, which have been major export products in the past. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector. The Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while protecting the environment. Development efforts in the area of trade, at both national and international levels, are considered relatively advanced compared with other Pacific islands. However, Samoa is ecologically fragile and vulnerable to natural disasters, such as cyclones and disease infestations.
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2006 was US$ 2543.00. Economic growth in 2001 was estimated at 6.5%, with an annual rate of inflation of 4% by the end of the year. Manufacturing, transport and communications, and commerce contributed most to the growth. Agriculture production, on the other hand, dropped by 12% as a direct result of the limited market outlets for copra, cocoa, kava and coconut cream. Gross tourism receipts rose only marginally, by 0.7%. The sharp slowdown in growth was seen as a direct result of the
11 September 2001 terrorist attack in the United States of America. While exports improved by 16.8% compared with 2000, imports increased by 28% in 2001. As a result, the current account deficit widened to 11.2% of GDP. Remittance inflows continued to increase at a lower rate than in 2000. At the current level, they are equivalent to 18% of GDP. At the end of 2001, foreign reserves stood at WST 174 .84 million (US$ 66.7 million), equivalent to approximately 4.1 months of import cover. Grants from development partners in 2000/2001 added up to WST 65.09 million (US$ 23 million), equalling some 25% of total revenue.
Vulnerabilities and hazards
No available information.