Society of Samoa

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km: 68

Life expectancy: 74 years

Net primary enrolment: 96%

Population: 193,000 (2015); 19 per cent of people live in urban areas; growth 0.7 per cent p.a. 1990–2015, depressed over this period by emigration, mostly to New Zealand; birth rate 246 per 1,000 people (39 in 1970); life expectancy 74 years (55 in 1970).

Predominantly Polynesian population with small minorities of Chinese, European or other Pacific descent. The people live mainly in extended family groups, known as aiga. These groups are headed by a leader, known as matai, who is elected for life. The population is largely concentrated in villages close to the shore. There are 131,103 Samoans living in New Zealand, more than half of whom were born there (2006 New Zealand census).

Language: Samoan is the official language; English is used in administration and commerce and is widely spoken.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Congregationalists 32 per cent, Roman Catholics 19 per cent, Latter-day Saints 15 per cent, Methodists 14 per cent; 2011 census).

Media: Samoa Observer and Samoa Times are dailies. Le Samoa (weekly), Savali (fortnightly) and Talamua Magazine (monthly) are in both Samoan and English.

The Samoa Broadcasting Corporation provides public radio and TV services; there are several privately owned radio stations and TV channels.

Public holidays: New Year (1–2 January), Mothers’ Day (Monday in May), Independence Day (1 June), Fathers’ Day (Monday in August), Lotu-a-Tamaiti (Monday after White Sunday, in October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Easter Monday