Tuvalu profile

Demography and Health

Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific island nation with a total population of about 9,646 in 2024. Net migration in 2024 is negative by approximately 280 people, indicating more residents leaving than arriving. The birth rate in 2023 was 23.1 births per 1,000 people, and the crude death rate was 9.14 per 1,000, while life expectancy at birth stands at 67.1 years (2023). The under-5 mortality rate is 19.9 deaths per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling ongoing child health challenges relative to more developed countries. Health expenditure is substantial at 18.4% of GDP in 2022, and domestic general government health expenditure per capita (PPP) is 817 international dollars in 2022, reflecting deliberate public investment in health despite the small tax base. Internet usage remains robust, with 74.3% of the population online in 2023, enabling health information access and potential telemedicine. Taken together, these indicators suggest a young population facing migration pressures, a health system prioritizing services but with capacity constraints, and rising digital connectivity that could support health outcomes if complemented by continued investment and equitable access across the islands.

Economy, Trade and Investment

In 2023 Tuvalu had a GDP per capita of 6,345 current US dollars and a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity of 6,151 international dollars, indicating a relatively modest income level in a very small, open economy. Foreign direct investment net inflows equaled 0.267% of GDP in 2023, reflecting limited inward investment opportunities or constraints in attracting large-scale capital. The current account balance in 2022 was a surplus of 4.59% of GDP, suggesting more inflows of goods, services, and transfers than outflows relative to the size of the economy. Unemployment was 7.32% of the labor force in 2022, underscoring ongoing labor-market challenges in a country with a concentrated structure and limited domestic opportunities. The energy and environment context is marked by renewable energy consumption at 5.2% of total final energy consumption in 2022, pointing to heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, and per-capita greenhouse gas emissions of 0.407 t CO2e in 2023. The governance backdrop shows regulatory quality at -0.191 and government effectiveness at -0.45, hinting at policy and public service delivery constraints, though control of corruption is 0.646 and political stability is 1.19, suggesting external alignment and a degree of governance credibility. The economy remains small and vulnerable to external shocks, with limited diversification. Prospects would benefit from strengthening the investment climate, diversifying revenue sources such as fisheries or tourism, expanding renewable energy adoption, and building climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce exposure to fuel costs and volatility.

Governance and Institutions

Tuvalu shows a mix of stable political conditions and governance challenges. In 2023, Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism registering 1.19 with a rank of 11 indicates relatively stable political context among comparators—an important asset for small island states facing external pressures. The Rule of Law is 1.01, illustrating a credible legal framework, while Control of Corruption registers 0.646, signaling meaningful anti-corruption progress. Regulatory Quality is -0.191, suggesting room to improve the design and implementation of policies, and Government Effectiveness at -0.45 points to limited capacity in delivering public services and coordinating reforms. The unemployment rate of 7.32% in 2022 adds a labor-market dimension to governance challenges. Taken together, Tuvalu demonstrates stability and rule-of-law strengths but continues to confront governance and institutional capacity constraints, underscoring the ongoing need for targeted reforms, capacity-building, and resource coordination to enhance service delivery in a remote, small-state setting.

Infrastructure and Technology

Digital connectivity is a notable asset for Tuvalu, with 74.3% of the population using the Internet in 2023. This level of connectivity offers opportunities for ecommerce, distance learning, e-government services, and information-sharing in a dispersed nation spread over several coral atolls. The energy picture, however, shows renewable energy consumption at 5.2% of total final energy consumption in 2022, indicating reliance on fossil fuels and limited clean energy deployment. The combination of robust internet use and a relatively low renewable energy share suggests that expanding renewable generation could enhance energy reliability, reduce import costs, and enable more resilient digital services and economic activity. Investment in ICT and energy infrastructure—such as solar or wind with storage—could bolster service delivery, education, health, and climate resilience in the context of Tuvalu’s geographic and climatic vulnerabilities.

Environment and Sustainability

Environment and sustainability for Tuvalu are characterized by exceptionally low per-capita greenhouse gas emissions, at 0.407 t CO2e per person in 2023, consistent with a small, low-emission economy. Renewable energy accounted for 5.2% of total final energy consumption in 2022, indicating substantial room for switching to cleaner sources and reducing energy import dependence. This energy profile aligns with climate vulnerability concerns common to small island developing states, reinforcing the imperative to accelerate renewable deployment, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation measures. The current account balance of 4.59% of GDP in 2022 reflects external trade and transfer dynamics that support the economy, but environmental and climate risks may increasingly influence fiscal planning and investment priorities. Overall, Tuvalu’s environmental indicators point to significant opportunities to advance decarbonization, energy resilience, and sustainable development while managing climate-related risks and safeguarding livelihoods on a changing island landscape.