What is the economy like in American Samoa?
The economy of American Samoa is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the United States, with which American Samoa conducts the great bulk of its foreign trade.
Why is American Samoa poor?
However, around 20 percent of Samoans do live under the national poverty line. The causes of poverty in Samoa ultimately boil down to lack of access to education, youth unemployment and underemployment, gender inequity and threats to natural resources and farming land like natural disasters.
How much money does the US give to American Samoa?
The full fiscal year 2020 amount provided by Congress to the American Samoa government for operations in fiscal year 2020 was $23,665,000. This payment of $4,677,000 is the initial amount to be paid in fiscal year 2021.
How does the US benefit from American Samoa?
The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to American Samoa in many ways such as: Dedication to the reduction of carbon emissions. Rebuilding coral reefs. Economic growth through trade.
What are some problems in Samoa?
The country faces the common challenges of poverty, youth unemployment, gender inequality and great risks from climate change.
What is the major economic activity on Samoa Island?
The economy of Samoa is dependent on agricultural exports, development aid and private financing from overseas. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 9% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil and copra.
Does Samoa have welfare?
Most social welfare programs available to the 50 States and the District of Columbia are also available to the territories. The terri- tories are: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Is- lands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa.
What is the average income in Samoa?
American Samoa counties ranked by per capita income
| Rank | County | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swains Island | $27,500 |
| 2 | Western District | $24,705 |
| 3 | Eastern District | $23,350 |
| 4 | Manu’a District | $17,614 |
What is the minimum wage in American Samoa?
7.25 per hour
Why GAO Did This Study In 2007, Congress passed legislation that established a schedule of periodic increases that would have raised all minimum wages in American Samoa to the current federal level ($7.25 per hour) by 2016.
Can US citizens work in American Samoa?
Citizens of the United States can live, work and travel indefinitely while in American Samoa.
Do American Samoa pay taxes?
Unlike citizens of other U.S. territories who are U.S. citizens, American Samoans are U.S. nationals. However, neither citizens nor nationals of U.S. territories vote in Federal elections and pay Federal taxes.
What is the biggest problem in Samoa?
There are some major social problems developing in Samoa due to poverty and a huge and rapid gap growing between the rich and the poor. Until the government acknowledges this and takes responsibility to improve the opportunity and conditions the poor are dealing with Samoa will be a country with no tourists.
What was the biggest economic problem in Samoa?
Further economic problems occurred in 1994 with an outbreak of taro leaf blight and the near collapse of the national airline Polynesian Airlines. Taro, a root crop, traditionally was Samoa’s largest export, generating more than half of all export revenue in 1993.
How does the US government help American Samoa?
Transfers from the U.S. federal government add substantially to American Samoa’s economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa’s remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes.
How is the tuna canning industry affecting American Samoa?
Changes in government spending and the tuna canning industry, including cannery closures, have impacted American Samoa’s economy. To reduce the territory’s dependence on the government and the tuna canning industry, the American Samoa government continues its efforts to diversify the economy.
Where does most of Samoa’s Visitors come from?
In 1972 more than 85,000 visitors arrived in Samoa, contributing over $12 million to the local economy. One-third came from American Samoa, 28% from New Zealand, and 11% from the United States. Arrivals increased in 2000, as visitors to the South Pacific avoided the political strife in Fiji by traveling to Samoa instead.