Economic Activities in Samoa: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Key Economic Insights: The economy of Samoa generates an estimated GDP of $1.29 billion ($5,873 per capita) supporting a population of 219,306. Productive output is anchored by 72.1% services, 10.2% industry and manufacturing, and 9.1% agriculture and natural resource extraction. Key merchandise exports include coconut oil, integrated circuits, insulated wire, citrus, and power equipment, directed primarily toward India (23%), the US (19%), New Zealand (12%), Hungary (8%), and Poland (6%).

Country Samoa has a population of about 219,306 (2025), ranking around 182nd globally. Located in the South Pacific, it covers 2,840 sq. km, ranking 160th, just below French Polynesia.

As of 2025, Samoa’s GDP was about $1.29 billion (current US$), per the World Bank, with real GDP growth of roughly 4.7%. Samoa’s GDP per capita stood at about $5,873 (current US$, 2025).

Despite its lower ranking, Samoa’s economy is steadily growing, with potential for further development in various sectors. The country’s focus on sustainable practices and tourism has the potential to boost its economic standing in the future.

Table of Contents

Samoa Economic Structure & Sector Analysis

Economic Dimension	Figure	Authoritative Source
GDP & Macro Output	Nominal GDP: $1.29 billion \| Per Capita: $5,873	World Bank WDI / IMF
Sector Breakdown	Services: 72.1% \| Industry: 10.2% \| Agriculture: 9.1%	World Bank National Accounts
Trade & Commodities	Top Exports: coconut oil, integrated circuits, insulated wire, citrus, and power equipment	UN Comtrade / OEC
Demographics & Labor	Population: 219,306	ILO / UN Population Division
Strategic Trade Corridors	Leading Trade Partners: India (23%), the US (19%), New Zealand (12%), Hungary (8%), and Poland (6%)	World Bank WITS / IMF DOTS

Primary activities: 9.1% of GDP.
Secondary activities: 10.2% of GDP.
Tertiary activities: 72.1% of GDP.

Samoa economy by sector

Share of GDP, 2025, compared with the world average

Services make up the largest part of the economy, at 72.1% of GDP in 2025. Agriculture’s share is above the world average of 4.1%, and industry’s share is below the world’s 25.4%. Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators (value added by sector, % of GDP). The three shares do not add up to exactly 100% because GDP also includes taxes on products minus subsidies.

Primary Sector of Samoa

With 17.77% of the land dedicated to agriculture, the country produces a variety of crops like coconuts, taro, bananas, pineapples, and more. Agriculture contributes 9.1% to the GDP and remains important to the economy.

The top ten agricultural products by tonnage include tropical fruits, root vegetables, milk, and pork, which shows the diversity of Samoa’s agricultural industry.

Samoa’s volcanic islands provide a diverse geological landscape, leading to abundant natural resources. Hardwood forests support the timber industry, fish stocks sustain local fisheries, and hydropower contributes to energy production, driving economic growth.

Secondary Sector of Samoa

The secondary sector involves industries that create finished products ready for consumption. They take raw materials from primary activities and manufacture new goods for domestic sale or export. In Samoa, the main industrial products include food processing, building materials, and auto parts. These products provide jobs and contribute to the country’s overall economic growth.Manufactures in Samoa’s total exports are not significant, accounting for a low percentage in 2023. This indicates a reliance on other sectors for economic growth and trade balance.

Tertiary sector of Samoa

Apia waterfront illustrating Samoa's tertiary service sector

Key tertiary activities in Samoa are healthcare, education, banking, communication, tourism, transportation, and security services. These services help drive the country’s economy and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.In particular, Samoa’s economy heavily relies on tourism, contributing significantly to its GDP. With 181,000 annual arrivals, accounting for 0.8139 of its population, tourism is a major part of the economy. Popular destinations like the Samoa Cultural Village and Lalomanu Beach attract visitors worldwide.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, which has around 134,000 subscriptions, enabling communication and supporting technological growth through better connectivity and digital services.

International Trade of Samoa

Import Activities of Samoa

Samoa’s imports accounted for 52.72% of its GDP in 2023, totaling $43,910,205.23.Samoa’s key import activities include refined petroleum, coated flat-rolled iron, fish, poultry, and ships. Its main import partners are China (25%), Singapore (16%), New Zealand (14%), South Korea (7%), and the United States (7%).

Exports Activities of Samoa

In Samoa, exports totaled $102,172,238.28 in 2023, accounting for 12.27% of GDP. This indicates a medium level of importance, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.Samoa primarily exports coconut oil, integrated circuits, insulated wire, citrus, and power equipment. Its key export partners are India (23%), the US (19%), New Zealand (12%), Hungary (8%), and Poland (6%).

Samoa economy challenges in 2024

In 2024, Samoa faces economic challenges despite its thriving fishing and agriculture industries. The country struggles with increasing debt and environmental concerns, impacting its growth as an offshore financial hub. The recent Pacific Games aimed to boost tourism and infrastructure, but ongoing issues threaten progress.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026

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Post Author

Juan David Montoya

Economist & Senior Economic Researcher. Editorial Director of EconomicActivity.org. Specializes in macroeconomic indicators, international trade flows, and economic sector taxonomy (ISIC Rev. 4). Analyzes multilateral data from the World Bank, IMF, UN Comtrade, and OECD.