Quick facts
American Samoa population overview
American Samoa is the 14th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 46,480 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -1.5% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 2 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 674 births (14.5 per 1,000 people) and 358 deaths (7.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,027 people. The infant mortality rate is 0.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 20,133 in 1960 to 46,029 in 2025 — a change of +128.6%, or +1.3% per year on average. It peaked at 57,062 in 2002 and has declined 19.5% since.
Demographically, the median age is 29.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years; women have on average 2.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 26.3% of residents are under 15 and 8.5% are 65 or older (2025); 80.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Pago Pago. American Samoa covers 200 km², giving a population density of about 230 people per km². GDP was $871.00M in 2022 — about $18,017 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
American Samoa population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 45,909 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 46,480 |
| World rank | #214 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #14 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -1.5% |
| Births per year est. | 674 |
| Deaths per year est. | 358 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,027 |
| Birth rate | 14.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 0.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 80.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 200 km² |
| Population density | 230 per km² |
| Capital | Pago Pago |
| GDP (current US$) 2022 | $871.00M |
| GDP per capita 2022 | $18,017 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
American Samoa population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 45,909 | – | – |
| 2025 | 46,029 | -736 | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 46,765 | -756 | -1.6% |
| 2023 | 47,521 | -821 | -1.7% |
| 2022 | 48,342 | -883 | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 49,225 | -536 | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 49,761 | -3,117 | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 52,878 | -2,350 | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 55,228 | -1,389 | -0.5% |
| 2005 | 56,617 | -238 | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 56,855 | +4,539 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 52,316 | +5,676 | +2.3% |
| 1990 | 46,640 | +7,537 | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 39,103 | +6,700 | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 32,403 | +3,013 | +2% |
| 1975 | 29,390 | +2,364 | +1.7% |
| 1970 | 27,026 | +3,620 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 23,406 | +3,273 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 20,133 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About American Samoa
Population over time
- From 20,133 in 1960 to 45,909 today — up 128%.
- Population peaked at 57,062 in 2002 and is down 19.5% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73 years (2024), up 7.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 15 births vs 7.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 26.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0 t in 2024, vs 0 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 0.4% of final energy in 2022 (+0.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 85.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 90.4% to 85.2% since 1990 — roughly 10 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 80.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 37.6% in 1960 (+42.9 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1968.
Economy
- GDP: $871.00M in 2022.
- Nominal GDP is up 36.1% since 2012.
- That works out to $18,017 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 0% of people used the internet in 1990.
- Mobile subscriptions: 4 per 100 people (2004).
American Samoa in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of American Samoa in 2026?
As of October 2026, American Samoa has an estimated population of 45,909. The United Nations estimated 46,480 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -1.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of American Samoa growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -1.5% per year — roughly 2 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 674 births and 358 deaths, with net migration of -1,027.
What is the population density of American Samoa?
About 230 people per square kilometre: 45,909 people living on 200 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in American Samoa?
The median age is 29.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years. 26.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does American Samoa rank by population?
American Samoa is the 214th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 14th in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of American Samoa changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 20,133; by 2025 it had grown to 46,029 (+128.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Australia
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Turks and Caicos Islands
Sint Maarten
Northern Mariana IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-1.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.