Population count hits 195,843

By Ioana Tupa'i 04 November 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa’s population has increased over the years and as of 2016, the population count stands at 195,843. 

This was revealed in the Samoa Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census Brief Number 1 report launched on Friday.

The report states that from only 32,612 people in 1902, the Samoan population has increased by 163,231 in 114 years.

The total population of males recorded as of 2016 is 100,825 and females stand at 9,518. 

“Savaii Island had lost its share of the total population from 31 percent in 1971 to 22 percent in 2016,” says Aliiomuamua Malaefono Taaloga, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer Census, Survey and Demography Statistic Division.

“People in Savai’i tend to move to Upolu because there are a lot of job opportunities and also for their children to further their studies in the tertiary level.”

It was also noted that people populate the North West side of Upolu.

The population of North West Upolu rose from 21 percent in 1971 to 35 percent, according to the 2016 census.

“This is because the Vaitele area has grown with a lot of business and companies now occupying the area. Also many families are now settling in Vaitele.”

The 2016 census was a complex, expensive and time consuming undertaking. It is a national exercise that comes along every five years. 

“Despite challenges, the government of Samoa priorities the census undertaking as the main source of information for population count in all villages, the distributions of everyone in the country and the composition of the population by age male and female,” says the Minister of Statistic, Sala Fata Pinati.

Information on education, employment, and disability, household access to public services such as water, electricity, telecommunication and environment were considered in the census data.

Mrs. Taaloga said their office would carry out a survey on the expenditure of every household in the country. 

“This data will show how much each family earns and how much they do spend.”

The Government of Australia previously funded this project but now the government of Samoa has stepped in as the financier.

By Ioana Tupa'i 04 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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