2 | P a g e 1 | P a g e Foreword This publication is the first of a series of Census 2016 Brief reports to be published from the dataset version 1, of the Population and Housing Census, 2016. It provides a snapshot of the information collected from the Population Questionnaire and some highlights of the Housing Questionnaire. It also provides the final count of the population of Samoa in November 7th 2016 by statistical regions, political districts and villages. Over the past censuses, the Samoa Bureau of Statistics has compiled a standard analytical report that users and mainly students find it complex and too technical for their purposes. We have changed our approach in the 2016 census by compiling smaller reports (Census Brief reports) to be released on a quarterly basis with emphasis on different areas of Samoa’s development as well as demands from users. In doing that, we look forward to working more collaboratively with our stakeholders and technical partners in compiling relevant, focused and more user friendly statistical brief reports for planning, policy-making and program interventions. At the same time, the Bureau is giving the public the opportunity to select their own data of interest from the census database for printing rather than the Bureau printing numerous tabulations which mostly remain unused. The available census data in which the public can request is attached in the annexure pages. We hope this 2016 Census Brief No. 1 will provide an overall picture of the status of population growth, distribution and composition of Samoa’s population as at November 7th 2016. A more detailed analysis will be completed in future series. In addition, a few social and economic indicators have been selected for this first release. We encourage the users, planners and policy- makers to indicate areas of interests for future Brief Report releases. We like to acknowledge the great contribution made by: teachers, public servants, village representatives, private sector and our financial and technical partners namely the Secretariat for Pacific Communities in New Caledonia, UNFPA in Fiji, UNICEF Pacific, The UN Washington Group on Disability Statistics, the RIO project via MNRE and the Census Steering Committee with representatives from MOH, MESC, MWCSD, MCIT, MNRE, MOF, MCIL, PSC, CSSP and NOLA in the implementation of the census. In particular, we would like to thank the people of Samoa as without their positive support during the household interviews, we would not have been able to complete this huge undertaking in all villages. Last but not least, I would like to commend all the staff of Samoa Bureau of Statistics for their continuous commitment in making the 2016 Population and Housing census a success. Faafetai tele lava. MUAGUTUTI’A SEFUIVA REUPENA GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN/CEO 2 | P a g e A. POPULATION 2016 SNAPSHOT 1. Population size and growth, 1902 and 2016 JSamoa’s population rose from 32,000 to 195,000! • From only 32,612 people in 1902, the Samoan population has increased by 163,367 in 114 years to reach 195,979 in 2016. • In the last five years (2011-2016), the population has increased by 8,159 people. This is an increase of 4.3 percent making an annual growth rate of 0.9 percent per annum or an addition of 1,632 people per year. (The census night was November 7th 2016. On census night, the people who were found residing in the same place (home or elsewhere) for at least three months prior to the census night, and, people who were visiting on census night but intending to stay in Samoa for at least three months, were all counted as residents in the 2016 census. On the contrary, all usual residents who were absent from their homes for at least three months due to travel, employment, education, medical or any other reason were not counted in the census 2016). JThe population is growing at a slower pace relative to 50 years ago! 3 | P a g e • In 1961, the growth rate was as high as 2.8 percent per annum. The growth rate first experienced slowing down to around 1 percent between 1971-1981and it continued on to less than 1 percent in the 2016 census. Emigration played a major role in slowing down the natural population increase brought about by births and deaths. Some major push factors causing outward migration included the annual New Zealand quota of 1,100 people and the annual seasonal employment opportunities. 2. Population distribution, 1971-2016 JThe population has shifted more to Upolu Island than on Savaii Island! (Upolu Island is inclusive of Manono and Apolima) • Savaii Island had lost its share of the total population from 31 percent in 1971 to 22 percent in 2016. On the contrary, Upolu Island has gained its share from 69 percent in 1971 to 78 percent in 2016. The gradual changes in population composition indicate areas of population growth. JThe growth on Upolu Island has been directed at North West Upolu and less on the central Apia Urban Area! • As Savaii Island experienced losing more people, the gain on Upolu Island has concentrated more on the North West side of Upolu Island. The region of North West Upolu (NWU) rose 4 | P a g e from 21 percent in 1971 to 35 percent in the 2016 census. Social and economic challenges are expected more in this growing region of Upolu. • The Apia Urban Area (AUA) had a share of 18 percent in 1971 which rose slightly to 20 percent between 1981 and 2001 and then started to experience a slight decline reaching 19 percent in 2016. The Rest of Upolu region (ROU) also declined from 29 percent in 1971 to arrive at 23 percent in 2016 hence lost 6 percent of its original share of the total population. (The attach tables will show the list of districts and villages in each respective region). 3. Population age-sex composition, 1961-2016 JThe population is older but still significantly youthful! • In 1961, the median or average age of the total population was just 15 years reflecting a young and youthful Samoan population at the time. Overtime, the population grew older and after 55 years, it gained 6 additional years to reach a median age of 21.4 years in 2016. The youthful population indicated continuous demands for developments catering for the needs of the younger population such as education, health and employment opportunities. JOlder population are getting a bigger share of the total population! • In 1961, one-half of the total Samoan population was composed of young children of less than 15 years of age. Overtime, the proportion of young children started to decline reaching 38 percent in 5 | P a g e 2016. That proportion is still high when compared to 29 percent in Fiji (2007 Census of Fiji, Bureau of Statistics, No.45 2008). • The age-group 30-64 rose from 23 percent 1961 to 32 percent in 2016. The oldest age-group of pensioners (65+) also rose from 3 percent (3,115) in 1961 to 5 percent (9,592) in 2016. JThe Samoan population maintained its male dominance at birth and at the total population! • In 1961, 51 percent of the total population were men and 49 percent were women, a difference of 2 percent. From 1971, the difference rose to 3 percent with men increasing to 52 percent and women to 48 percent. These same sex proportions have been maintained until 2016. In the recent census the sex ratio at birth was 106 meaning there is 106 male births for every 100 female births. 4. Marital Status, 1961-2016* JFive to nine person of the total population are single and never married! • In 1961, about two-thirdof the population composing 66 percent of the total were ‘single or never married’ mainly due to the large proportion of children and young population. That proportion 6 | P a g e has been reduced to 59 percent in 2016 while the married population increased from 30 percent in 1961 to 34 percent in 2016. • The divorced and separated population in 1961 (2%) showed that 68 percent of women were in that category with a high 81 percent in the widowed category (2%). By 1981, those proportional distributions remained at the same level with a little increase to 2.6 and 3.6 percent respectively when reaching the 2016 census. Therefore women were more likely to live without partners in their lifetime than men. 5. Education 2016* JNot all children have the privilege to attend pre-schools, primary, secondary and tertiary education!- • The 2016 census revealed that 6 percent of Primary school children aged 5-12 were not attending school as well as 11 percent of Secondary school children aged 13-17. The youngest pre-school age group of 3-4 showed that only 23 percent were attending school. The census did not seek reasons for not attending school. The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture has a policy on compulsory education for primary school education. 6. Religious affiliation* JThe Samoan people embracefreedom of religion! 7 | P a g e • History revealed that EFKS has lost about half of its biggest share of 54 percent in 1961 when reaching 29 percent in 2016. The Catholic Church slightly lost its share of 21 percent from 1961 to 19 percent in 2016. The Methodist church also lost about 4 percent of its attendants from 16 percent in 1961 to 12 percent in 2016, while, LDS gained an extra 10 percent from 1961 to 2016. The AOG, SDA and all other churches have been catching up with their share of attendants, as they all made up one-quarter of the total church attendants in 2016.