(July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.37% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
33 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
38.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.58 years male:
65.19 years
female:
70.08 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.28 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Western Samoan(s)
adjective:
Western Samoan
Ethnic divisions:
Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood),
Europeans 0.4%
Religions:
Christian 99.7% (about half of population associated with the London
Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist,
Latter Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages:
Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1971)
total population:
97%
male:
97%
female:
97%
Labor force:
38,000
by occupation:
agriculture 22,000 (1987 est.)

*Western Samoa, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Independent State of Western Samoa
conventional short form:
Western Samoa
Digraph:
WS
Type:
constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital:
Apia
Administrative divisions:
11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga,
Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence:
1 January 1962 (from UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand)
Constitution:
1 January 1962
Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of
legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 1 June
Political parties and leaders:
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti, chairman; Samoan National
Development Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal, but only matai (head of family) are able to run
for the Legislative Assembly
Elections:
Legislative Assembly:
last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1
Executive branch:
chief, Executive Council, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly