Quick facts
Samoa population overview
Samoa is the 9th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 220,728 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 3 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 5,386 births (24.4 per 1,000 people) and 1,369 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,803 people. The infant mortality rate is 12.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 112,490 in 1960 to 219,306 in 2025 — a change of +95%, or +1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 72.1 years; women have on average 3.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 38.1% of residents are under 15 and 6.1% are 65 or older (2025); 17.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Apia. Samoa covers 2,840 km², giving a population density of about 78.1 people per km². GDP was $1.29B in 2025 — about $5,873 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Samoa population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 221,713 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 220,728 |
| World rank | #190 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #9 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.003% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.6% |
| Births per year est. | 5,386 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,369 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,803 |
| Birth rate | 24.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 12.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 72.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 17.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 2,840 km² |
| Population density | 78.1 per km² |
| Capital | Apia |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.29B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $5,873 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Samoa population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 221,713 | – | – |
| 2025 | 219,306 | +1,287 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 218,019 | +1,356 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 216,663 | +1,402 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 215,261 | +1,482 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 213,779 | +1,835 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 211,944 | +10,162 | +1% |
| 2015 | 201,782 | +8,759 | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 193,023 | +6,045 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 186,978 | +5,293 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 181,685 | +7,114 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 174,571 | +5,529 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 169,042 | +2,193 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 166,849 | +2,527 | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 164,322 | +10,978 | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 153,344 | +12,944 | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 140,400 | +12,422 | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 127,978 | +15,488 | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 112,490 | – | – |
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 Samoa
Population over time
- From 112,490 in 1960 to 221,713 today — up 97.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.8 years (2024), up 16.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 25 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 18.8 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 38.1% of the population is under 15 and 6.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.35 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.37 Mt in 2019 — down 6.3% since.
- Per person: 1.6 t in 2024, vs 0.47 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 307.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 20.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 35.9% of final energy in 2022 (-28.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 57.6% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 62.2% to 57.6% since 1990 — roughly 131 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 17.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 18.9% in 1960 (-1.4 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Economy
- GDP: $1.29B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 56.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $5,873 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 21.2% of people used the internet in 2014.
- Mobile subscriptions: 62.4 per 100 people (2022).
Samoa in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Samoa in 2026?
As of October 2026, Samoa has an estimated population of 221,713. The United Nations estimated 220,728 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Samoa growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.6% per year — roughly 3 more people every day. Each year there are about 5,386 births and 1,369 deaths, with net migration of -2,803.
What is the population density of Samoa?
About 78.1 people per square kilometre: 221,713 people living on 2,840 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Samoa?
The median age is 19.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 72.1 years. 38.1% of the population is under 15 and 6.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Samoa rank by population?
Samoa is the 190th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 9th in Oceania, with 0.003% of the global population.
How has the population of Samoa changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 112,490; by 2025 it had grown to 219,306 (+95%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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GuamSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.6%); 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.