Country Profile: American Samoa

American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States, is located in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. This group of islands, comprising five volcanic islands and two coral atolls, has a total area of 224 square kilometers. The population is approximately 43,268, predominantly Pacific Islanders, with a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with traditional Samoan customs and governance. The territory's economy is primarily based on tourism, tuna fishing, and government services, although it has faced economic challenges in recent years.

Geography

American Samoa is situated in Oceania, consisting of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls, with rugged terrain and limited coastal plains. The area totals 224 sq km, making it slightly larger than Washington, D.C. The region experiences a tropical marine climate, characterized by high rainfall and minimal temperature changes throughout the year.

116 km of coastline.
The highest point is Lata Mountain at 964 m.
The territory has no land boundaries with other nations.
Storms and cyclones occur frequently from December to March.

People and Society

The estimated population of American Samoa is 43,268 in 2025, with a nearly equal gender distribution. The majority of the population identifies as Pacific Islander, primarily Samoan, and the predominant language spoken is Samoan. The society is predominantly Christian, with 98.3% of the population following this faith, and most individuals are bilingual.

25.3% of the population is between 0-14 years of age.
The median age is 30.6 years.
Life expectancy at birth is 75.8 years.
87.2% of the population lives in urban areas.

Economy

American Samoa's economy is heavily reliant on the tourism industry, tuna fishing, and government services, but it has faced sustained economic decline, particularly in its tuna canning sector. The GDP was approximately $871 million in 2022, and the territory is working toward raising its minimum wage to meet federal standards by 2036.

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) was $658 million in 2016.
Exports in 2022 totaled $409 million.
Imports reached $677 million in 2022.
The unemployment rate is notably high and has been a concern for local governance.

Government

American Samoa functions as an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US, with local self-governance. It has a constitution that allows for a republican form of government, and the capital is Pago Pago. Residents are US nationals but not citizens, impacting their participation in federal elections.

The government structure includes an executive branch led by an elected governor and a legislative assembly.
The territory has 3 districts considered as administrative divisions.
Flag Day is celebrated on April 17 to mark the territory’s historical ties to the US.
The court system is a mix of US common law and customary Samoan law.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for American Samoa fall under the jurisdiction of the United States, ensuring the territory's security through its military resources.

Energy

The energy sector in American Samoa is primarily dependent on fossil fuels, making up 97.1% of its total electricity generation capacity. The total electricity generation capacity is estimated at 50,000 kW, with a consumption rate of 157.7 million kWh in 2023.

Petroleum consumption is about 3,000 bbl/day.
Energy consumption per capita is approximately 89.1 million Btu (2019 est.).

Environment

American Samoa faces significant environmental challenges, including limited drinking water supply and pollution issues. The islands experience both a rainy and dry season, with an average annual rainfall of about 3 m.

Forested areas cover 79.2% of the land.
Agricultural land constitutes 14.8% of the overall territory.
The carbon dioxide emissions total 389,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Municipal waste generation is around 19,000 tons annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes 3 airports and a crucial port at Pago Pago Harbor, known for its natural deep-water harbor capabilities.

The territory has 1 port with oil terminals.
There are no large or medium-sized ports.

Communications

American Samoa's communications network includes a blend of fixed lines and mobile cellular services, although mobile subscriptions were last recorded in 2004.

Total fixed telephone subscriptions were 9,690 in 2022.
The Internet penetration rate is estimated at 40.3% of the population (1990 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	43,268	2025 estimate
Area	224 sq km	Total area including all islands
GDP (official exchange rate)	$871 million	2022 estimate
Electricity consumption	157.7 million kWh	2023 estimate
Birth rate	15.3 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Unemployment rate	High	Current economic challenges
Life expectancy	75.8 years	2024 estimate
Urban population	87.2%	Of total population (2023)
Dependency ratio	51.3	Total dependency ratio (2025 est.)
Municipal waste generated	19,000 tons	2024 estimate