Tuvalu
Australia and Oceania Funafuti
Population
11.8K
Area
26 km²
GDP
$62.28M
GDP Per Capita
$5,800
Pop. Density
455/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$Australian dollar(AUD)
Calling Code
+688
Timezone
UTC+12:00
Languages
English, Tuvaluan
Driving Side
left
Demonym
Tuvaluan
Background
Voyagers from either Samoa or Tonga first populated Tuvalu in the first millennium A.D., and the islands provided a stepping-stone for various Polynesian communities that subsequently settled in Melanesia and Micronesia. Tuvalu eventually came under Samoan and Tongan spheres of influence, although proximity to Micronesia allowed some Micronesian communities to flourish in Tuvalu, in particular on Nui Atoll. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a series of American, British, Dutch, and Russian ships visited the islands, which were named the Ellice Islands in 1819.
The UK declared a protectorate over islands in 1892 and merged them with the Micronesian Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate became a colony in 1916. During World War II, the US set up military bases on a few islands, and in 1943, after Japan captured many of the northern Gilbert Islands, the UK transferred administration of the colony southward to Funafuti. After the war, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was once again made the colony’s capital, and the center of power was firmly in the Gilbert Islands, including the colony’s only secondary school. Amid growing tensions with the Gilbertese, Tuvaluans voted to secede from the colony in 1974, were granted self-rule in 1975, and gained independence in 1978 as Tuvalu. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims to the Tuvaluan islands in a treaty of friendship.
The UK declared a protectorate over islands in 1892 and merged them with the Micronesian Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate became a colony in 1916. During World War II, the US set up military bases on a few islands, and in 1943, after Japan captured many of the northern Gilbert Islands, the UK transferred administration of the colony southward to Funafuti. After the war, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was once again made the colony’s capital, and the center of power was firmly in the Gilbert Islands, including the colony’s only secondary school. Amid growing tensions with the Gilbertese, Tuvaluans voted to secede from the colony in 1974, were granted self-rule in 1975, and gained independence in 1978 as Tuvalu. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims to the Tuvaluan islands in a treaty of friendship.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑158.5% since 2006$24M (2006)$62M (2023)
Population
↓4.1% since 200610,056 (2006)9,646 (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 67.1 years2006: 64.2 years2023: 67.1 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates
8 00 S, 178 00 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total : 26 sq km
land: 26 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 26 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
24 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Terrain
low-lying and narrow coral atolls
Elevation
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 2 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 2 m
Natural resources
fish, coconut (copra)
Land use
agricultural land
60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest
34.3% (2023 est.)
other
5.7% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti
Natural hazards
severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low levels of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level
Geography - note
one of the smallest and most remote countries on earth; six of the nine coral atolls -- Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae -- have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon
People & Society33
Population
total: 11,824 (2025 est.)
male: 5,865
female: 5,959
male: 5,865
female: 5,959
Nationality
noun: Tuvaluan(s)
adjective: Tuvaluan
adjective: Tuvaluan
Ethnic groups
Tuvaluan 97%, Tuvaluan/I-Kiribati 1.6%, Tuvaluan/other 0.8%, other 0.6% (2017 est.)
Languages
Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Religions
Protestant 92.7% (Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu 85.9%, Brethren 2.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.5%, Assemblies of God 1.5%), Baha'i 1.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 3.9%, none or refused 0.4% (2017 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,754/female 1,672)
15-64 years: 63.2% (male 3,736/female 3,675)
65 years and over: 7.6% (2024 est.) (male 326/female 570)
15-64 years: 63.2% (male 3,736/female 3,675)
65 years and over: 7.6% (2024 est.) (male 326/female 570)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 59 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 46.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.9 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 46.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.9 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 28.1 years (2025 est.)
male: 26.8 years
female: 28.8 years
male: 26.8 years
female: 28.8 years
Population growth rate
0.75% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
21.57 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.78 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti
Urbanization
urban population: 66.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
7,000 FUNAFUTI (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
170 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 27.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 31.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 31.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 69 years (2024 est.)
male: 66.5 years
female: 71.6 years
male: 66.5 years
female: 71.6 years
Total fertility rate
2.76 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.34 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 99% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 20% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 96.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 93.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 95.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 3.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 6.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 4.2% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
51.6% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 32.4% (2025 est.)
male: 46.2% (2025 est.)
female: 18.1% (2025 est.)
male: 46.2% (2025 est.)
female: 18.1% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.9% (2019 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.2% (2020 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0% (2020)
women married by age 18: 1.8% (2020)
men married by age 18: 1.7% (2020)
women married by age 18: 1.8% (2020)
men married by age 18: 1.7% (2020)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 12.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 16.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 16.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
total population: 100% (2022 est.)
male: 100% (2022 est.)
female: 100% (2022 est.)
male: 100% (2022 est.)
female: 100% (2022 est.)
Government22
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Tuvalu
local long form
none
local short form
Tuvalu
former
Ellice Islands
etymology
the name in the local language means "group of eight" or "eight standing together," referring to eight of the country's nine islands; the remaining island, Nui, was left out of the original grouping because its inhabitants spoke a different language; the former name was given in honor of Canadian shipping company owner Alexander Ellice, who owned a ship that visited the islands in 1819
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: Funafuti
geographic coordinates: 8 31 S, 179 13 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the town has the same name as the island it is located on; the name may either come from the Polynesian word futi (banana) or the name Futi, one of the wives of a local ruler, with the word funa added as a feminine prefix
geographic coordinates: 8 31 S, 179 13 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the town has the same name as the island it is located on; the name may either come from the Polynesian word futi (banana) or the name Futi, one of the wives of a local ruler, with the word funa added as a feminine prefix
Administrative divisions
7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and local customary law
Constitution
history: previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986
amendment process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading
amendment process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: na
citizenship by descent only: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu FALANI (since 29 August 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024)
cabinet: Cabinet members selected by the prime minister
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister and the parliament; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections
election results:
2024: TEO was the only candidate nominated by the House of Assembly
2019: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote - 10 to 6
head of government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024)
cabinet: Cabinet members selected by the prime minister
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister and the parliament; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections
election results:
2024: TEO was the only candidate nominated by the House of Assembly
2019: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote - 10 to 6
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Palamene)
legislative structure
unicameral
chamber name
Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu)
number of seats
16 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
1/26/2024
percentage of women in chamber
0%
expected date of next election
January 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and not less than 3 appeals judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts
Political parties
note: no political parties, but members of parliament usually align in informal groupings
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Tapugao FALEFOU (since 19 April 2023); note - also Permanent Representative to UN
chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534
FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975
email address and website:
tuvalumission.un@gmail.com
tuvalu.unmission@gov.tv
https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about
chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534
FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975
email address and website:
tuvalumission.un@gmail.com
tuvalu.unmission@gov.tv
https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Independence
1 October 1978 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Flag
description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the right half of the flag has nine five-pointed yellow stars
meaning: the stars represent a map of the country, with each symbolizing an atoll in the ocean
meaning: the stars represent a map of the country, with each symbolizing an atoll in the ocean
National symbol(s)
maneapa (native meeting house)
National color(s)
light blue, yellow
National anthem(s)
title: "God Save the King"
lyrics/music: unknown
history: used since 1745
lyrics/music: unknown
history: used since 1745
Economy20
Economic overview
upper middle-income Pacific island economy; extremely environmentally fragile; currency pegged to Australian dollar; large international aid recipient; subsistence agrarian sector; Te Kakeega sustainable development; domain name licensing incomes
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $57.055 million (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $54.938 million (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $54.568 million (2021 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $54.938 million (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $54.568 million (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 3.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 0.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 1.8% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 0.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 1.8% (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $5,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $5,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $5,400 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $5,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $5,400 (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$62.28 million (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 11.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021: 6.2% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020: 1.9% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021: 6.2% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020: 1.9% (2020 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 15.9% (2015 est.)
industry: 7% (2015 est.)
services: 70% (2012 est.)
industry: 7% (2015 est.)
services: 70% (2012 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, tropical fruits, bananas, root vegetables, pork, chicken, eggs, pork fat, pork offal (2023)
Industries
fishing
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 4.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 4.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 4.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 4.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 4.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
revenues: $87 million (2019 est.)
expenditures: $88 million (2019 est.)
expenditures: $88 million (2019 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016: 47.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: $2.713 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $14.533 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: $8.46 million (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $14.533 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: $8.46 million (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $2.232 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $2.745 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $3.089 million (2020 est.)
Exports 2021: $2.745 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $3.089 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Thailand 88%, Japan 6%, Philippines 3%, Ireland 1%, USA 1% (2023)
Exports - commodities
fish (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $57.388 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $63.962 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $56.947 million (2020 est.)
Imports 2021: $63.962 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $56.947 million (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 42%, Fiji 24%, Japan 11%, Australia 11%, NZ 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, iron structures, fish, hand tools (2023)
Exchange rates
Currency
Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
1.515 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.505 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.442 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.331 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
1.453 (2020 est.)
Energy1
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 99.1%
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 99.1%
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 2,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 9,880 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
no TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV; 1 state-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays from international broadcasters (2019)
Internet country code
.tv
Internet users
percent of population: 74% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 0 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T2
Airports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total: 270 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 21, container ship 3, general cargo 29, oil tanker 19, other 198
by type: bulk carrier 21, container ship 3, general cargo 29, oil tanker 19, other 198
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
0
small
0
very small
1
ports with oil terminals
1
key ports
Funafuti Atoll
Military & Security2
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force
Military - note
as part of the Falepili Union treaty between Australia and Tuvalu, which entered into force in August 2024, Australia committed to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic, or military aggression; Tuvalu pledged to mutually agree with Australia any partnership, arrangement, or engagement with any other State or entity on security and defense-related matters in Tuvalu
Tuvalu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Tuvalu's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
Tuvalu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Tuvalu's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)