Country Profile: Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a small island nation located in the South Pacific, comprised of nine coral atolls. It has a population of approximately 11,733 people, most of whom reside on the atoll of Funafuti. The economy is classified as upper middle-income and heavily relies on agriculture, fisheries, and international aid, particularly from Australia. Tuvalu operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its governance shaped by both local customs and English common law.

Geography

Tuvalu is situated in Oceania, approximately halfway between Hawaii and Australia, and consists of nine low-lying coral atolls. Comprising a total land area of 26 square kilometers, it is one of the smallest and most remote nations in the world. The country's natural resources primarily include fish and coconut (copra), while its terrain consists largely of sandy beaches and low coral atolls.

Geographical coordinates: 8° S, 178° E
Coastline: 24 km
Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone of 200 nm
Climate: Tropical, with trade winds from March to November
Highest point: Unnamed location at 5 m

People and Society

Tuvalu has an estimated population of 11,733 as of 2024, with a majority identifying as Tuvaluan. The official languages are Tuvaluan and English, reflecting the country's colonial history. A significant portion of the population practices Protestantism, with various denominations represented. Urbanization is notable, as over 66% of the population live in urban areas, primarily on Funafuti.

Population growth rate: 0.78% (2024 est.)
Median age: 27.8 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy: 69 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate: 22 births per 1,000 population (2024 est.)
Dependency ratio: 58.3 (2024 est.)

Economy

Tuvalu's economy is characterized as an upper middle-income Pacific island economy that is heavily reliant on international aid. The country's real GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $57.055 million in 2023, with a significant portion of its income derived from fishing and agricultural exports. The economy is fragile, facing challenges such as environmental vulnerability and reliance on remittances.

Real GDP per capita: $5,800 (2023 est.)
GDP growth rate: 3.9% (2023 est.)
Exports: $2.232 million (2022 est.)
Imports: $57.388 million (2022 est.)
Remittances as a percentage of GDP: 4.2% (2023 est.)

Government

Tuvalu operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the King of the UK as the head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General. The capital, Funafuti, serves as the center of administration. The country has a unicameral Parliament consisting of 16 members elected by the people, with elections held every four years.

Independence: October 1, 1978 (from the UK)
Chief of State: King Charles III (since September 8, 2022)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo (since February 27, 2024)
Legislature: Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene) with 16 seats
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age

Military and Security

Tuvalu does not maintain regular military forces; security is primarily provided by the Tuvalu Police Force. The country has treaties with Australia for defense support in times of natural disaster or military aggression and holds agreements with the US to assist in maritime law enforcement within its exclusive economic zone.

Security treaty with Australia: Effective August 2024
US "shiprider" agreement: Allows local officers to assist in maritime law enforcement

Energy

Electricity access in Tuvalu is nearly universal, with 100% of the population having access to electricity. This includes both urban and rural areas, reflecting the nation's commitment to infrastructure development despite its small size.

Electrification rate: 100% total population (2022 est.)
Urban electrification: 100%
Rural electrification: 99.1%

Environment

Tuvalu faces significant environmental challenges, including limited freshwater resources, beach erosion, and rising sea levels due to climate change. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Environmental agreements: Party to Climate Change and Biodiversity agreements
Natural hazards: Vulnerable to sea level rise and severe tropical storms

Transportation

Tuvalu's transportation infrastructure includes a limited number of air and maritime options. With only one airport and a small merchant marine fleet, transportation is primarily reliant on air travel and shipping.

Airports: 1 (2025)
Merchant marine: 270 vessels (2023)

Communications

Tuvalu's communication infrastructure features both fixed-line and mobile cellular services, with a relatively high proportion of the population using the internet. There are no local TV stations, but residents often use satellite dishes to access foreign channels.

Internet users: 74% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 9,000 (2021 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,733 (2024 est.)
Area	26 sq km	About the size of Washington, D.C.
GDP (PPP)	$57.055 million (2023 est.)
GDP per capita	$5,800 (2023 est.)
Birth rate	22 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	69 years (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	Not specified
Electricity access	100% (2022 est.)
Urban population	66.2% (2023)
Total fertility rate	2.78 children born/woman (2024 est.)