0 population (1992)
Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
61 years male, 64 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
3.1 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Tuvaluans(s); adjective - Tuvaluan
Ethnic divisions:
96% Polynesian
Religions:
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i
1%, other 0.6%
Languages:
Tuvaluan, English
Literacy:
NA% (male NA%, female NA%)
Labor force:
NA
Organized labor:
none

:Tuvalu Government

Long-form name:
none
Type:
democracy
Capital:
Funafuti
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
1 October 1978 (from UK; formerly Ellice Islands)
Constitution:
1 October 1978
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Palamene)
Judicial branch:
High Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General
Tupua LEUPENA (since 1 March 1986)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 16 October 1989); Deputy Prime
Minister Dr. Alesana SELUKA (since October 1989)
Political parties and leaders:
none
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
Parliament:
last held 28 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1993); results
- percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total)
Member of:
ACP, C (special), ESCAP, SPC, SPF, UPU
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador (vacant)
US:
none
Flag:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow
five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands

:Tuvalu Economy

Overview:
Tuvalu consists of a scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil.
The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence
farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. The islands are too
small and too remote for development of a tourist industry. Government
revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker
remittances. Substantial income i