Country explorer: Samoa
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Samoa is a tropical, lower-middle-income country in the Pacific with a very small population. Its economy has grown stably in recent decades, and is based on agriculture, tourism and remittances.
The country of Samoa is known for its traditional tattoo art, called tatau, which holds cultural significance.
Economy
Samoa has undergone significant economic developments, marked by a steady increase in GDP per capita, a dynamic shift in the distribution of its population across different poverty thresholds, and moderate fluctuations in unemployment rates and inflation, illustrating a transitional phase common among island nations, but distinct in its resilience and economic management.
Demographics
Samoa has experienced a consistent increase in its population, moderated net migration losses, a significant reduction in fertility rate from high levels, and a notable improvement in life expectancy, reflecting trends common in developing island nations but distinguished by its rapid rate of fertility decline compared to its Pacific neighbors.
Basic needs
Samoa has seen significant improvements in access to electricity and clean cooking technologies, alongside gradual enhancements in safely managed water and sanitation facilities, reflecting broader progress in societal well-being that aligns with trends seen in other lower-middle-income countries, albeit with unique challenges and achievements specific to its context.
Human development
Samoa has demonstrated sustained advancements in human development, mirroring improvements seen across its Pacific peers, evidenced by consistent growth in the Human Development Index, a substantial reduction in child mortality rates, near-universal literacy, and appreciable gains in average learning-adjusted years of schooling.
Environment & energy
Samoa has seen a remarkable transition from negative to positive per capita CO₂ emissions, embarked on a path towards renewable energy adoption albeit from a low base, and managed a slight decrease in forest area, reflecting a nuanced journey of environmental and energy shifts similar to many small island developing states facing unique sustainability challenges.
Technology & innovation
Samoa has demonstrated a gradual yet significant transformation in technology and innovation, marked by a steady increase in internet usage and mobile phone subscriptions, although it lacks data on R&D spending and shows variable performance in scientific publications, reflecting a blend of challenges and advancements common among small island developing states.
Culture & society
Samoa has experienced noteworthy cultural and societal transformations, highlighted by a significant increase in its foreign-born population, consistent improvements in gender equality, and a diversifying demographic structure with a high age dependency ratio, illustrating both its unique development path and common challenges faced by Pacific Island nations.
Governance
In the past two decades, Samoa has shown positive trends in press freedom, improving more significantly than its regional peers, indicative of broader advances in governance and civil liberties.