ASM American Samoa profile

American Samoa is a U American territory with a local government that blends elected offices and traditional governance structures. The constitutional framework sustains a governor and a legislature called the Fono, and customary matai leadership influences land use and local decision making. Residents are U.S. nationals by birth rather than U.S. citizens, a status that shapes political representation and access to federal programs. The territory operates under federal oversight and funding conditions that can constrain policy choices and long term planning. Debates persist over political status and the scope of self determination, even as practical governance centers on service delivery, budgeting, and maintaining customary practices within a modern administrative system.

Colonial history Formerly administered by Germany and the United States
Former colonizer Germany, United States
Government type Unincorporated U.S. territory
Legal system U.S. law with local variations
Political stability Generally stable

Economy is narrow in scope, centered on tuna processing, public sector payroll, and service roles tied to federal funding. Private investment is hindered by geographic isolation, high logistics costs, and limited market access. Diversification remains challenging due to land constraints, workforce development gaps, and regulatory complexities. The territory relies heavily on U.S. income support and grants, which can support social services but dampen incentives for structural reform. Employment and livelihoods are closely tied to the health of the cannery sector and government spending, making the economy sensitive to external demand and policy shifts.

Currency name United States Dollar
Economic system Mixed economy
Informal economy presence Present, but less prominent than in many other areas
Key industries Agriculture, fishing, tourism, government services
Trade orientation Export-oriented, primarily to the U.S.

Geography consists of a set of volcanic islands in a remote Pacific location. The landscape supports rich marine ecosystems but is vulnerable to climate change impacts, including severe weather, sea level rise, and coral stress. Coral reefs, fisheries, and water resources underpin local livelihoods, yet environmental pressures from overfishing, habitat loss, and waste management pose risks. Development decisions contend with fragile ecosystems and limited arable land, requiring careful conservation and resilience planning.

Bordering countries None
Climate type Tropical
Continent Oceania
Environmental Issues Coastal erosion, deforestation, invasive species
Landlocked No
Natural Hazards Tropical storms, earthquakes, tsunamis
Natural resources Fish, fruits, coconut, fertile soil
Terrain type Volcanic islands, mountainous

Social life centers on family networks, churches, and communal obligations that reinforce cultural continuity. The territory preserves traditional language and practices while adapting to modern education, media, and migration flows. Health outcomes reflect disparities and access challenges, with chronic disease risk and limited healthcare infrastructure shaping community needs. Education and economic opportunity gaps influence youth aspirations and mobility, driving outmigration and return cycles that affect community cohesion.

Cultural heritage Polynesian culture with American influences
Driving side Right
Education system type Public and private schooling; U.S. education system influenced
Ethnic composition Predominantly Samoan, with some Europeans and Asians
Family structure Extended families are common
Healthcare model Public and private healthcare services
Major religions Christianity
Official languages Samoan, English

Infrastructure shows a mix of basic and improving facilities, including ports, air links, roads, and utilities that rely on external fuel supplies. The energy system depends on imported fuels, creating cost and reliability challenges, with policy emphasis on resilience and efficiency. Telecommunications offer connectivity, but bandwidth, latency, and service robustness vary by location, impacting e commerce and digital government. Water, sanitation, and housing infrastructure require ongoing investment to meet growing demand and climate vulnerabilities. Public sector technology adoption and digital literacy face hurdles but present paths for e government and service modernization.

Internet censorship level Minimal
Tech innovation level Moderate
Transport system type Roads, ferry services

Development indicators

Indicator Year Value Rank 5Y Rank Change
Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism 2023 1.11 14 -2
Regulatory Quality 2023 0.512 59 -60
Rule of Law 2023 1.21 28 +3
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 15.4 104 +1
Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 7.02 105 -44
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2022 47 70 +32
GDP per capita (current US$) 2022 18,017 72 -6
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2022 77.7 32 +25
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 2023 72.9 125 +6
Net migration 2024 -1,110 109 +1
Population, total 2024 46,765 203 +1
Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) 2022 0.4 65 -100
Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) 2023 0.179 199 0
Control of Corruption 2023 1.25 27 +12
Government Effectiveness 2023 0.654 52 -4

Demography and Health

American Samoa has a population of 46,765 in 2024, ranking 203 in the dataset, reflecting its status as a small territorial population. The crude birth rate in 2023 was 15.4 births per 1,000 people (rank 104), while the crude death rate was 7.02 deaths per 1,000 people (rank 105). This yields a positive natural increase of about 8.4 per 1,000 people, suggesting ongoing population growth from births despite relatively modest fertility. However, net migration in 2024 was negative at −1,110 people (rank 109), indicating more people leaving than arriving and signaling a population dynamic where out-migration offsets natural growth. Life expectancy at birth stands at 72.9 years (2023; rank 125), which is consistent with many small territories where health outcomes are good but not among the highest globally. The combined effect of births, deaths, and migration implies a small, slowly evolving population that faces the challenge of sustaining services for a population with limited scale and potential demographic aging pressures over time. Taken together, these indicators point to a territory with a modest population base, modest growth driven by natural increase offset by out-migration, and health outcomes that are adequate but not exceptional by global standards. The demographic profile interacts with governance and economic conditions to shape public service needs, labor market dynamics, and fiscal capacity for health and social programs.

Economy, Trade and Investment

In 2022, exports of goods and services accounted for 47.0% of GDP (rank 70), while imports of goods and services represented 77.7% of GDP (rank 32). The combination of a substantial import share and a sizable export contribution to GDP suggests an economy that relies heavily on external inputs and external demand, with a potential trade deficit in national accounts terms. GDP per capita is US$18,017 (2022; rank 72), signaling a mid-range income level for a small territory, and indicating a per-person standard of living that is meaningful but not among the world’s highest. With a small population and a relatively open external orientation, the economy likely depends on a narrow set of sectors and external linkages—exposure to global price and demand swings remains an important risk. The data imply limited domestic production breadth, high dependence on imported goods, and the need for resilient supply chains and productive investment to diversify growth. Governance indicators, including regulatory quality (0.512; rank 59) and rule of law (1.21; rank 28), together with political stability (1.11; rank 14) and control of corruption (1.25; rank 27), hint at a stable but mid-range business climate where improvements in regulatory efficiency and institutional capacity could bolster private investment and economic diversification over time.

Governance and Institutions

The governance indicators present a profile of relative political stability and mid-range institutional quality. Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism score 1.11 in 2023 with rank 14, indicating a comparatively stable political environment within its peer group. Control of Corruption is 1.25 (rank 27), and Rule of Law is 1.21 (rank 28), signaling credible legal order and a reasonable level of integrity in public life. Government Effectiveness stands at 0.654 (rank 52), and Regulatory Quality at 0.512 (rank 59), suggesting functioning administrative processes but with room to improve the efficiency and predictability of regulations. Taken together, these indicators describe a governance fabric that can support public policy and investment, while also underscoring opportunities to strengthen regulatory delivery, streamline procedures, and enhance transparency. The overall governance picture is moderately robust for a small territory, with stability and anti-corruption strengths offset by mid-range regulatory performance. Continued attention to governance reforms could help improve the business climate, contract enforcement, and service delivery, further enabling sustainable development and resilience to external shocks.

Infrastructure and Technology

Data on infrastructure and technology highlight a very limited share of renewable energy use, with renewables comprising only 0.4% of total final energy consumption in 2022 (rank 65). This points to a reliance on conventional energy sources and suggests substantial room for energy diversification and resilience building, especially given the territory’s remote location. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 0.179 t CO2e per person in 2023 (rank 199), a remarkably low level that aligns with the small, less energy-intensive economy and limited industrial base. The combination of very low per-capita emissions and a minimal renewables share implies energy demand is modest and not yet oriented toward significant decarbonization investments; however, it also highlights an opportunity to modernize energy systems with cleaner sources without compromising the territory’s low-emission profile. In the context of infrastructure, these signals suggest potential gains from targeted investments in energy reliability, storage, and grid modernization, along with expanding digital connectivity and transport infrastructure to support economic diversification while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmentally, American Samoa exhibits a very low per-capita greenhouse gas footprint at 0.179 t CO2e per capita (2023; rank 199) and a renewable energy share of just 0.4% of total final energy consumption (2022; rank 65). The exceptionally low emission intensity may reflect limited industrial activity and small population size, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint relative to many economies. Nonetheless, the minimal renewable energy usage signals a significant opportunity to advance clean energy adoption, energy security, and resilience to external energy price shifts. Pursuing a transition toward more renewables could help stabilize electricity costs and reduce vulnerability to imported fuels, while maintaining or further reducing emissions per capita in line with broader sustainability goals. Governance indicators indicate a reasonable capacity to implement environmental programs, including stable political institutions and credible governance. This combination positions American Samoa to pursue prudent environmental and energy strategies that balance growth, reliability, and sustainability, leveraging its governance strengths to attract investments in renewables, efficiency, and climate resilience while preserving its relatively small environmental footprint.