Demographics of Samoa

The Fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social systems, and language, which is believed to be the oldest form of Polynesian speech still in existence. Only the Maoris of New Zealand outnumber the Samoans among Polynesian groups.

Population: 179,466 (July 2000 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 30,288; female 29,323)
15-64 years: 61% (male 69,566; female 40,402)
65 years and over: 6% (male 4,623; female 5,264) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.22% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 15.59 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: -11.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.72 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 32.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.2 years
male: 66.48 years
female: 72.06 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Samoan(s)
adjective: Samoan

Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%

Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)

Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97% (1971 est.)

See also : Samoa