Samoa:

Region: Oceania – Polynesia

Capital: Apia

Official Language/s: Samoan, English

Population: 182265

Currency: Tala

Government: Parliamentary Monarchy

Economy: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependant on development aid from other nations, private family remittances from overseas and large amounts of agricultural exports. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the work force as well as counting for 90% of exports. The main agricultural exports are coconut cream, coconut oil, noni juice and cobra. Tourism is an expanding sector, and is now accounting for 25% of GDP. Tourist amounts have been increasing with Samoa now receiving over 100,000 tourists each year.

Demographics: Samoa has a population of 182,265 of which 92.6% are Samoan, 7% Euronesian, a mix of European and Polynesian blood, and 0.4% are European. About 75% of the population live on the main island of Upolo. Samoan people are the second largest of the Polynesian groups only outnumbered by New Zealand Maori. Traditional Samoan ways of life remains a strong influence on life and politics maintaining its historical customs, social and political systems, and language.

Religion: Approximately 98% of Samoans identify themselves as Christians. This can be divided into different denominations including Congregationalist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Mormon, Assembly of God and Seventh Day Adventist. Samoa also is the home to one of only seven Bahá’í Houses of worships in the world, which was completed in 1984.

Health: The Samoan government provides primary, secondary, limited tertiary care and public health services through a network of facilities, health care centres and a few hospitals. Tertiary care is provided mainly in New Zealand and the private sector has expanded dramatically in recent years. Emigration of qualified medical personnel and migration of staff from rural to urban areas has placed strain on the health sector.
The main reported causes of adult mortality are diseases of the circulatory system and cancers with the life expectancy rate standing at 68 years of age.