American Samoa - AS - ASM - ASA - Australia and Oceania

Last updated: May 07, 2025
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American Samoa Images

  • A school of reef needlefish near American Samoa. These distinctively shaped fish are capable of making short jumps out of the water at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Since needlefish swim near the surface, they often leap over the decks of shallow boats rather than going around. Occasional deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to needlefish. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    A school of reef needlefish near American Samoa. These distinctively shaped fish are capable of making short jumps out of the water at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Since needlefish swim near the surface, they often leap over the decks of shallow boats rather than going around. Occasional deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to needlefish. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Located on one side of Pago Pago Harbor in American Samoa, Matafao Peak is one of five great masses of volcanic rock that were extruded as molten magma during the major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island. Matafao Peak is the highest mountain on the island. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Located on one side of Pago Pago Harbor in American Samoa, Matafao Peak is one of five great masses of volcanic rock that were extruded as molten magma during the major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island. Matafao Peak is the highest mountain on the island. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • One of the seven National Natural Landmarks located on the opposite side of Pago Pago Harbor, Rainmaker Mountain is a great mass of volcanic rocks extruded as molten magma during major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    One of the seven National Natural Landmarks located on the opposite side of Pago Pago Harbor, Rainmaker Mountain is a great mass of volcanic rocks extruded as molten magma during major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • This view is a classic example of steep cliffs and erosion-resistant outliers formed by wave action on a volcanic land mass. Pola Island rises over 125 m (400 ft) straight out of the ocean off Tutuila in American Samoa. A short walk from Vatia village, Pola is an ideal nesting site for many species of seabirds. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    This view is a classic example of steep cliffs and erosion-resistant outliers formed by wave action on a volcanic land mass. Pola Island rises over 125 m (400 ft) straight out of the ocean off Tutuila in American Samoa. A short walk from Vatia village, Pola is an ideal nesting site for many species of seabirds. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • The coconut crab is a species of terrestrial hermit crab that also goes by the name of robber crab or palm thief. Found on islands in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, including American Samoa, it is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world, and it can weigh up to 4.1 kg (9 lb) and grow to up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    The coconut crab is a species of terrestrial hermit crab that also goes by the name of robber crab or palm thief. Found on islands in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, including American Samoa, it is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world, and it can weigh up to 4.1 kg (9 lb) and grow to up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • The Tongan fruit bat or flying fox ("pe’a fanua" in Samoan) is among the largest bats in the world and is one of the most unusual animals found in American Samoa. Flying foxes eat fruit, other plant matter, and occasionally insects and are important to the environment as seed dispersers and pollinators. These bats are large with a wingspan up to 0.9 m wide (3 ft), have a keen sense of sight and smell, and are active day and night. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    The Tongan fruit bat or flying fox ("pe’a fanua" in Samoan) is among the largest bats in the world and is one of the most unusual animals found in American Samoa. Flying foxes eat fruit, other plant matter, and occasionally insects and are important to the environment as seed dispersers and pollinators. These bats are large with a wingspan up to 0.9 m wide (3 ft), have a keen sense of sight and smell, and are active day and night. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • The sparsely populated Manu'a Islands are 100 km (60 mi) east of Tutuila in American Samoa; they include the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega (far distance), and Ta'u (foreground). Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    The sparsely populated Manu'a Islands are 100 km (60 mi) east of Tutuila in American Samoa; they include the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega (far distance), and Ta'u (foreground). Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • A school of reef needlefish near American Samoa. These distinctively shaped fish are capable of making short jumps out of the water at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Since needlefish swim near the surface, they often leap over the decks of shallow boats rather than going around. Occasional deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to needlefish. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    A school of reef needlefish near American Samoa. These distinctively shaped fish are capable of making short jumps out of the water at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Since needlefish swim near the surface, they often leap over the decks of shallow boats rather than going around. Occasional deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to needlefish. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

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  • A view of Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island in American Samoa; the mouth (entrance) is to the left. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Located on one side of Pago Pago Harbor in American Samoa, Matafao Peak is one of five great masses of volcanic rock that were extruded as molten magma during the major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island. Matafao Peak is the highest mountain on the island. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • One of the seven National Natural Landmarks located on the opposite side of Pago Pago Harbor, Rainmaker Mountain is a great mass of volcanic rocks extruded as molten magma during major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • This view is a classic example of steep cliffs and erosion-resistant outliers formed by wave action on a volcanic land mass. Pola Island rises over 125 m (400 ft) straight out of the ocean off Tutuila in American Samoa. A short walk from Vatia village, Pola is an ideal nesting site for many species of seabirds. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • The coconut crab is a species of terrestrial hermit crab that also goes by the name of robber crab or palm thief. Found on islands in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, including American Samoa, it is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world, and it can weigh up to 4.1 kg (9 lb) and grow to up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • The Tongan fruit bat or flying fox ("pe’a fanua" in Samoan) is among the largest bats in the world and is one of the most unusual animals found in American Samoa. Flying foxes eat fruit, other plant matter, and occasionally insects and are important to the environment as seed dispersers and pollinators. These bats are large with a wingspan up to 0.9 m wide (3 ft), have a keen sense of sight and smell, and are active day and night. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • The sparsely populated Manu'a Islands are 100 km (60 mi) east of Tutuila in American Samoa; they include the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega (far distance), and Ta'u (foreground). Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • A school of reef needlefish near American Samoa. These distinctively shaped fish are capable of making short jumps out of the water at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Since needlefish swim near the surface, they often leap over the decks of shallow boats rather than going around. Occasional deaths and serious injuries have been attributed to needlefish. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

American Samoa Factbook Data

Dependency status

unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (territory of the US)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 5,738/female 5,387)

15-64 years: 66% (male 14,291/female 14,679)

65 years and over: 8.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,775/female 2,025)
2024 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for American Samoa. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

14 20 S, 170 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

cyclones common from December to March

volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Washington, D.C.

Background

Tutuila -- the largest island in American Samoa -- was settled by 1000 B.C., and the island served as a refuge for exiled chiefs and defeated warriors from the other Samoan islands. The Manu’a Islands, which are also now part of American Samoa, developed a traditional chiefdom that maintained autonomy by controlling oceanic trade. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to sail through the Manu’a Islands, and he was followed by French explorer Louis Antoine DE BOUGAINVILLE in 1768. Whalers and missionaries arrived in American Samoa in the 1830s, but American and European traders tended to favor the port in Apia -- now in independent Samoa -- over the smaller and less-developed Pago Pago on Tutuila. In the mid-1800s, a dispute arose in Samoa over control of the Samoan archipelago, with different chiefs gaining support from Germany, the UK, and the US. In 1872, the high chief of Tutuila offered the US exclusive rights to Pago Pago in return for US protection, but the US rejected this offer. As fighting resumed, the US agreed to the chief’s request in 1878 and set up a coaling station at Pago Pago. In 1899, with continued disputes over succession, Germany and the US agreed to divide the Samoan islands, while the UK withdrew its claims in exchange for parts of the Solomon Islands. Local chiefs on Tutuila formally ceded their land to the US in 1900, followed by the chief of Manu’a in 1904. The territory was officially named “American Samoa” in 1911.

The US administered the territory through the Department of the Navy. In 1949, there was an attempt to organize the territory, granting it formal self-government, but local chiefs helped defeat the measure in the US Congress. Administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951, and in 1967, American Samoa adopted a constitution that provides significant protections for traditional Samoan land-tenure rules, language, and culture. In 1977, after four attempts, voters approved a measure to directly elect their governor. Nevertheless, American Samoa officially remains an unorganized territory, and people born in American Samoa are US nationals rather than US citizens.

 

Environment - current issues

limited supply of drinking water; pollution; waste disposal; coastal and stream alteration; soil erosion

Exports - commodities

animal meal, aluminum, refined petroleum, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Australia 31%, UK 18%, Tanzania 9%, UAE 7%, Senegal 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts and 2 islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

Agricultural products

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock

Budget

revenues: $249 million (2016 est.)

expenditures: $262.5 million (2016 est.)

Capital

name: Pago Pago

geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W

time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

note: pronounced PAHN-go PAHN-go

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, fish, paper containers, wood, construction vehicles (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

116 km

Constitution

history: adopted 17 October 1960; revised 1 July 1967

amendment process: proposed by either house of the Legislative Assembly; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by the membership of each house, approval by simple majority vote in a referendum, approval by the US Secretary of the Interior, and only by an act of the US Congress

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Executive branch

chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Nikolao PULA (since 3 January 2025)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 department directors appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature or Fono

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2028)

election results:
Lemanu Peleti MAUGA elected governor in first round; percent of vote - Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (independent) 60.3%, Gaoteote Palaie TOFAU (independent) 21.9%, I'aulualo Fa'afetai TALIA (independent) 12.3%

Flag description

a large white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side and is charged with an eagle, all on a blue field; the red, white, and blue colors are those traditionally used by both the United States and Samoa; the brown and white American bald eagle flies toward the hoist side and carries two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut-fiber fly whisk known as a "fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the US and American Samoa

Independence

none (territory of the US)

Industries

tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts

Judicial branch

highest court(s): High Court of American Samoa (consists of the chief justice, associate chief justice, and 6 Samoan associate judges and organized into trial, family, drug, and appellate divisions) 

judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate chief justice appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior to serve for life; Samoan associate judges appointed by the governor to serve for life

subordinate courts: district and village courts

note: American Samoa has no US federal courts

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 14.5% (2022 est.)

arable land: 4.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 9.7% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest: 85.4% (2022 est.)

other: 0.2% (2022 est.)

Legal system

mixed legal system of US common law and customary law

Legislative branch

note: American Samoa elects 1 member by simple majority popular vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC

National holiday

Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Nationality

noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)

adjective: American Samoan

Natural resources

pumice, pumicite

Geography - note

Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean

Economic overview

tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036

Political parties

Democratic Party
Republican Party

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, ASTCA, supplies telecommunication services to the residents of the American Samoan islands, a territory of the United States, which are found in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean; the primary system between the islands consists of fiber-optic cables and satellite connections; over Independence Day weekend 2021, the undersea fiber-optic cable linking the Tutuila and Manu’a Islands failed, completely stranding the Manu’a Islands from all telecommunication services; telecommunication services were restored to the people of Manu’a islands through microwave link between Tutuila to the Manu’a Islands; the link is now providing a steady 1Gbps backhaul most of the time of the year with 600Mbps at four 9’s availability, over this extremely long distance (2022)

domestic: nearly 22 per 100 fixed-line tele density (2021)

international: country code - 1-684; landing points for the ASH, Southern Cross NEXT and Hawaiki  providing connectivity to New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, Hawaii, California, and SAS connecting American Samoa with Samoa; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Atoll, Swains Island)

Government type

unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Country name

conventional long form: American Samoa

conventional short form: American Samoa

former: Eastern Samoa

abbreviation: AS

etymology: the name's meaning is disputed; according to one theory, sa means "sacred" and moa means "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assert that the name can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; however, the name may pre-date the Polynesian era (before 1000 B.C.), with sa'a meaning "tribe or people" and moa meaning "deep sea," or "people of the deep sea"

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Internet users

percent of population: 40.3% (2021 est.)

Internet country code

.as

GDP (official exchange rate)

$871 million (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Urbanization

urban population: 87.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.8% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)

lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA

note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

Major urban areas - population

49,000 PAGO PAGO (capital) (2018)

National symbol(s)

a fue (coconut fiber fly whisk; representing wisdom) crossed with a to'oto'o (staff; representing authority); national colors: red, white, blue

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 71.3% (2022 est.)

government consumption: 49.7% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 7.3% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories: 5.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 47% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services: -77.7% (2022 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Citizenship

see United States
Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 1% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Pacific Islander 88.7% (includes Samoan 83.2%, Tongan 2.2%, other 3.3%), Asian 5.8% (includes Filipino 3.4%, other 2.4%), mixed 4.4%, other 1.1% (2020 est.)

note: data represent population by ethnic origin or race

Religions

Christian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

Languages

Samoan 87.9% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.3%, Tongan 2.1%, other Pacific Islander 4.1%, Asian languages 2.1%, other 0.5% (2020 est.)

note: most people are bilingual

Imports - partners

Singapore 28%, NZ 15%, Fiji 14%, Taiwan 11%, Malaysia 11% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Elevation

highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 51.5 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 38.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 7.6 (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 18,989 tons (2016 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 97.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.5% (2023 est.)

Ports

total ports: 1 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 1

very small: 0

ports with oil terminals: 1

key ports: Pago Pago Harbor

Labor force

17,850 (2015 est.)

Net migration rate

-24.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 30 years (2024 est.)

male: 29.4 years

female: 30.6 years

Public debt

12.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.06 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Population

total: 43,895 (2024 est.)

male: 21,804

female: 22,091

Carbon dioxide emissions

389,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 389,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Area

total : 224 sq km

land: 224 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Rose Atoll and Swains Island

Taxes and other revenues

37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$658 million (2016 est.)
$674.9 million (2015 est.)
$666.9 billion (2014 est.)

note: data are in 2016 dollars

Airports

3 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 2,250 (2009 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.5% (2015 est.)
1.4% (2014 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$11,200 (2016 est.)
$11,300 (2015 est.)
$11,200 (2014 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

89.105 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

15.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 50,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 157.697 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 13.975 million kWh (2023 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Imports

$677 million (2022 est.)
$694 million (2021 est.)
$686 million (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$409 million (2022 est.)
$332 million (2021 est.)
$427 million (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 10,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 73.4 years

female: 78.5 years

Real GDP growth rate

1.74% (2022 est.)
-0.78% (2021 est.)
4.41% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Population growth rate

-1.54% (2024 est.)
Sources:
American Samoa - AS - ASM - ASA