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 $792 million, Samoa ranks as the fifth-largest economy in the Pacific, accounting for 2% of regional GDP. Samoa has a population of 222,000 (2022), resulting in a GDP per capita of $3,700, ranking ninth in the Pacific.

Samoa has the eighth-highest Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Gross National Income (GNI) ratio in the Pacific Islands region, with aid accounting for 16% of national income. In a global context, Samoa remains among the most aid-reliant countries in the world, ranking 13th among 127 developing countries for its ODA/GNI ratio. The Samoan government’s development agenda highlights the need for capacity building, economic diversification, and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure. At 0.702, Samoa’s Human Development Index score ranks 116th out of 193 ranked countries.

Between 2008 and 2022, annual Official Development Finance (ODF) disbursements to Samoa — including grants, loans, and other forms of assistance — averaged $172 million. One-quarter of the development finance received by Samoa since 2008 has come in the form of loans. 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 (83%) of ODF support to Samoa has come from five development partners, led by Australia (21%), China (17%), Japan (12%), New Zealand (12%), the World Bank (11%), and the Asian Development Bank (10%).

ODF in Samoa was largely consistent with regional trends in terms of sector distribution. Disbursements in Samoa in the education, water and sanitation, and humanitarian aid sectors were notably higher than the regional average. The governance sector also features prominently, making up close to a third of incoming ODF, but remains below the regional average of 37%. 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 $227 million in development financing with a “principal” focus on either climate adaptation or mitigation. Over this same period, the country has seen $225 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 make up 11% of total spending, slightly above the regional average of 9%. Conversely, spending on “significant” climate projects in Samoa makes up 12% of incoming funds, slightly below the regional average of 13%.

Between 2008 and 2022, Samoa received $33 million in development financing with a “principal” focus on gender equality, and $564 million in development financing with a “significant” focus on gender equality. “Principal” gender equality financing constituted 1% of ODF received by the country, around half the regional average of 2%. Conversely, “significant” marked gender financing made up 21% of incoming ODF, in line with the regional average. 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.