Samoa
Oceania · Polynesia
Traditional fa'a Samoa culture runs deep; a remittance-driven Polynesian economy.
At a Glance
📈Samoa's Human Development Index
0.702
High human development#114 of 191 countries worldwide, #7 of 15 in Oceania.
Higher than 41% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Samoa
Samoa is a Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific with a culture deeply rooted in the concept of fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way, which centres communal life, traditional authority, and a profound connection to land and ocean. The landscape is lush and volcanic, with waterfalls, blowholes, and beaches fringed by rainforest. Those who travel with respect for local custom will find an extraordinary warmth and a way of life that is genuinely different from anywhere in the Western world.
- The word 'tattoo' comes from the Samoan word 'tatau'.
- Robert Louis Stevenson chose to live and die here, calling it 'the finest place I have been'.
- Changed which side of the International Date Line it sits on in 2011 — skipping an entire day.
Quick Facts
Capital
Apia
Languages
English, Samoan
Currency
T WST
Area
2,780 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$6K
PPP / Capita
$9K
Inflation
2.2%
Unemployment
5.0%
GNI / Capita
$6K
Tax Revenue
24.0%
FDI Inflows
0.2%
Education Spend
5.5%
Price Level Index
26th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1995
0.651 → 0.702 (+0.051)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 28 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Samoa for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →💬Quick answers
What is Samoa's Human Development Index?
Samoa's Human Development Index is 0.702 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #114 of 191 countries.
What is life expectancy in Samoa?
Life expectancy at birth in Samoa is 71.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #120 of 195 countries.