Powered by IFAD

Samoa has one of the most stable and healthy economies in the Pacific region. The country is in the lower middle income category, and has made impressive progress both in social development and in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Although extreme poverty does not exist in Samoa, many rural communities suffer from poverty of opportunity and unequal distribution of benefits as compared with urban areas. About 20 per cent of Samoans live below the national poverty line.

Who and where are the country’s rural poor people?

Poorer communities in remote parts of the islands are particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable, especially in areas stricken by cyclones or other natural disasters.

Gender inequality exists in Samoa and leaves women disadvantaged in terms of work opportunities and incomes.

There is a growing youth problem in the country. Young people increasingly face problems of unemployment and underemployment.

Why are they poor?

Samoa has a narrow resource base and its shallow soils, though fertile, are vulnerable to erosion. Forestry resources are declining as population pressure and the demand for agricultural land increases, worsening problems of erosion and land degradation. There is a crucial need to introduce sustainable farming, fishing and logging practices.

Natural disasters, especially cyclones, have had a devastating impact on the country over the last decade or so and constitute a major threat to fishing and farming communities. The damage caused often makes recovery very slow. Samoa is experiencing the effects of climate change: higher temperatures, rising sea levels, declining marine resources and loss of biodiversity. It is also vulnerable to volcanic activity.

Source: IFAD