Introduction
The 2000 Samoa Demographic and Vital Statistics Survey outlines the demographic, social and economic characteristics of Samoa and provides a measure of it's development at a particular point in time.
This document is an analytical report of the 12th demographic and vital statistics survey conducted in the country to estimate vital rates and the resulting population changes and it is the first time the staffs of the Statistical Services Division have attempted to analyze this type of dataset by themselves which helped a lot to improve their computer skills and also enhanced their research and analytical skills.
This analysis was particularly made easier in a two weeks workshop arranged with the Secretariat for Pacific Community in Noumea and funded by AUSAID.
This report provides the Government with population information to support population policies and actions in their continuous effort to promote quality services for the people of Samoa.
Survey Methodology
The 2000 Samoa Demographic Survey was a follow-up survey of the Samoa 1999 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The sample comprised 68 villages, which is 20% of the total 330 villages, selected systematically with a random start. Thirteen villages were selected from Apia Urban Area (AUA), 10 from North West Upolu (NWU), 23 from Rest of Upolu including Manono and Apolima Islands (ROU), and 20 from Savaii (SAV). Information was collected from every person in each of the selected villages. The interviews for the 2000 Samoa Demographic Survey were conducted in February and March 2000, which was one year after the 1999 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
The analysis of the 1999 DHS was based on a total of 28,638 persons. The 2000 DHS Survey collected information from 33,861 persons. However, respondents who were not usual residents of the surveyed areas were later excluded from the sample and left the remaining 32,660 respondents for this years analysis. This sample included 7,699 persons from Apia Urban Area, 7,219 in North West Upolu, 8,936 in Rest of Upolu and 8,806 in Savaii.
The substantial increase in the 2000 DHS sample size compared to the 1999 DHS was partially due to the inclusion of 2,353 eligible respondents who had been omitted from the sample in 1999 mainly because they were not available at the time of the 1999 survey.
This report is based on information of approximately 20% of the total Samoan population. The results should be considered as indicative of patterns and trends only, rather than precise statistics applied to the population as a whole.
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Summary of Results.
Total population interviewed | 32,660 | |
Percentage younger than 15 years | 40.6 | % |
Percentage 15 - 64 | 54.6 | % |
Percentage 65+ years | 4.7 | % |
Median age of population | 20.0 | years |
Sex ratio | 109 | males/100 females |
Dependency ratio (15-64) | 83 | dependents/100 working age |
Average household size | 8.2 | persons per household |
Estimated vital rates: | | |
Crude birth rate | 29.1 | per 1000 population |
Crude death rate | 5.5 | per 1000 population |
Net migration rate | -10.7 | per 1000 population |
Natural increase rate | 2.36 | % |
Population growth rate | 1.29 | % |
Total fertility rate | 4.3 | children per woman |
Average age at first born | 21.2 | years |
Infant mortality rate (IMR) | 17.8 | per 1000 births |
Females | 16.7 | per 1000 births |
Males | 17.3 | per 1000 births |
Labor force participation rate | | |
Males | 78.7 | % |
Females | 23.4 | % |
Total | 52.1 | % |
Source: Statistical Service Division, Ministry of Finance
For more detailed information please contact Mr. Sefuiva Muagututia, Deputy Chief Executive Office, Samoa Statistical Services Division.