On this page:

• Summary
• Economy and GDP
  • Samoa
  • American Samoa

Summary

Samoa’s economy is reliant on tourism, agriculture, remittances, and development assistance from other nations. This makes its economy vulnerable to natural disasters and global emergency events such as COVID-19. American Samoa has the benefit of US Government grants that back its economy and therefore is considerably less vulnerable to outside forces. 

Economy and GDP

Samoa

Samoa’s top export destinations (in priority order) include the United States, India, New Zealand, and Hungary. Their main import partners include China, Singapore, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States. The monetary value of Samoan imports is considerably higher than their exports, 503M compared with 51.9M respectively (2022). Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force and furnishes 9% of exports. Staple crops include coconuts, bananas, cocoa, and copra. About 25% of the households in Samoa draw their income from fishing which is also an important part of the Samoan diet. Samoa records an average 12,500 tons of catches annually which is sold domestically and to international markets. Aside from a large automotive wire harness factory, the manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Main imports include transport, refined petroleum, iron sheets, poultry meat, tourist vessels, and metal stoppers. 

The tourism industry is considered the mainstay of the Samoa’s economy and accounts for 25% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tourism employs an estimated 15% of Samoa’s workforce and generates a third of its total foreign reserves. Samoa’s heavy reliance on tourism as a contributor to their economy meant that COVID-19 had a significant effect on the country’s GDP.

For further information on the Samoan economy, see the resources below:

Website

1. World ATLAS - Samoa
2. Samoa Government – Press Release On State of Samoa’s Economy and Outlook for FY2022/2023- December 2022
3. DFAT – Australian trade with Samoa 

American Samoa – American Samoa’s economy is closely linked to the United States as two thirds of its government revenue comes from US government funding. American Samoa’s largest export is canned tuna which is processed in plants largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels. Australian exports to American Samoa include sheep and goat meat, dairy, and other prepared meat. Australian imports from American Samoa include animal feed, insulated wire, and fish oil.

For further information on the American Samoan economy, see the resource below:

Website

1. American Samoan economic and trade information