Samoa

Key trends and development challenges

Samoa is a small island developing state located in the Pacific sub-region of Polynesia. With a GDP of $1.1 billion, Samoa is the fourth-largest economy in the Pacific Islands and accounts for 2.7% of regional GDP. Samoa has a population of 216,700, resulting in a GDP per capita of $5,242, ranking eighth in the Pacific.

Samoa has the eighth-largest official development assistance (ODA) to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio in the Pacific Islands region, with aid accounting for 12% of GDP. In a global context, Samoa remains among the most aid-reliant countries in the world, with its aid as a share of GDP ranking 17th among 125 developing countries. The Samoan government’s development agenda highlights the need for capacity-building, economic diversification, and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure. At 0.708, Samoa’s Human Development Index score ranks 122nd out of 193 ranked countries.

Between 2008 and 2023, annual official development finance (ODF) disbursements to Samoa — including grants, loans, and other forms of assistance — averaged $175 million. As a share of Samoa’s total received development support, loans have declined significantly over the past decade. In 2010, loans made up 47% of total financing to the country. Since 2020, this share has declined to 8%. The International Monetary Fund ranks Samoa’s risk of debt distress as high.

Development partners and sector trends

The vast majority (84%) of ODF support to Samoa in 2023 came from four development partners, led by Australia (33%), New Zealand (30%), the World Bank (17%), and Japan (4%).

ODF in Samoa was largely consistent with regional trends in terms of sector distribution. However, disbursements in the education, water and sanitation, and humanitarian aid sectors were notably higher than the regional average. The governance sector also featured prominently, making up close to a third of incoming ODF, but still below the regional average of 38%. From 2014, Samoa has seen a greater emphasis on infrastructure spending. However, the pandemic shifted priorities back towards human development, particularly within the healthcare sector.

Since 2008, Samoa has received $350 million in development financing with a “principal” focus on either climate adaptation or mitigation. Over this same period, the country has seen $270 million in development financing with a “significant” focus on climate outcomes. In contrast to other Pacific countries, Samoa has seen minimal changes in spending on climate-targeting projects. As a share of total ODF received by Samoa, “principal” climate projects made up 13% of total spending, above the regional average of 8%. Spending on “significant” climate projects in Samoa made up 10% of incoming funds, close to the regional average.

Between 2008 and 2023, Samoa received $34 million in development financing with a “principal” focus on gender equality, and $452 million in development financing with a “significant” focus on gender equality. “Principal” gender equality financing constituted 1% of ODF received by the country, slightly below the regional average of 2%. Conversely, “significant” marked gender financing made up 16% of incoming ODF, below the regional average of 22%. The largest project directly targeting gender equality in Samoa was the multi-year $2 million Women in Leadership program, funded by Australia and the United Nations Development Programme.