In 1997, the Samoa conducted a HIES with technical assistance provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). In this page we present you with the key findings of the survey and selected tables. For more information, please contact Mr. Sefuiva Muagututia or the Samoa Statistical Services Division.
83% of households have a male head of households
25% of all persons are employed either full-time , self-employed or are farmers/planters/fishermen
96% of households either own the dwelling they occupy or have inherited the dwelling from their family
72% of households have exclusive use to the public piped water (85% for AUA, 75% for NWU, 67% for ROU and 64% for SAV)
94% of households use electricity as their main source of lighting
74% of households use wood as their main type of cooking fuel
45% of households have a flush toilet (76% in AUA, 26% in SAV)
47% of those with tertiary qualifications live in AUA
there are 10,003 males between 20 and 29 years of age who have never been married, with only 5, 507 females of the same age who have never been married
69% of females are in the “Sales and service elementary occupations” whereas only 21% of males are in this occupation group
76% of mothers feeding their babies use breast milk only
Donations/contributions to church/village are easily the largest general household regular expenses at $400,000 spent per week. Electricity and telephone charges are also substantial at $202,000 spent respectively per week.
Paid employment comprises 44% of the income received by households
45% of overseas airfares are paid from overseas
Samoan households have on average 6.3 pigs, 17.5 chickens and one head of cattle
The average Samoan total household weekly expenditure is $358 (highest in AUA at $455 and lowest in SAV at $268)
49.2 % of households expenditure is on Food (excluding beverages)
9.5% of households expenditure is on transport and communications
2.5% of households expenditure is on alcohol and tobacco
The total weekly value of home grown/produced items used by households is $1,108,000
The total weekly value of home grown/produced items sold by households is $512,000
The total weekly value of home grown/produced items given as gifts by households is $243,000
The total weekly value of home grown/produced items received as gifts by households is $225,000
The total weekly value of cash and bought goods received as gifts by households is $935,000
The total weekly value of cash and bought goods received as goods by households is $891,000
The total value of expenditure on special events by households was estimated to be $668,000 (an estimated expenditure of $1,952 per special event household)
Males received two thirds of all income
Males in the 35-39 year age group were the highest income earning group, where as females between in the 25-29 year age group were the highest earning females
12.4% of income received through remittances from overseas.