Tuvalu Basic Information

Official name of the state, composition of the government

According to constructmaterials, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. In Tuvalu, it is represented by the Governor-General (Sir lakoba Italeli since April 2010), appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with Parliament. The parliament has fifteen members, elected for a four-year term. The 2014 election was delayed due to Hurricane Pam and was not held until 3/31/2015. There are no political parties in Tuvalu. The parliament elects the prime minister, who selects the members of his cabinet from among its members.

Composition of the government:

• Prime Minister: Enele Sopoaga
• Vicepremiér: Maatia Toafa
• Minister of Transport and Communications: Monise Laafai
• Minister for Public Networks and Infrastructure: Enele Sopoaga
• Minister of Education, Culture and Sports: Fauoa Maani
• Minister of the Environment, Foreign Affairs, Labor and Trade: Taukelina Finikaso
• Minister of Health: Satini Manuella
• Minister of Finance and Economic Development: Maatia Toafa
• Minister for Construction and Natural Resources: Puakena Boreham
• Minister of Home Affairs and Local Development: Namoliki Sualiki

Demographic trends: Population, average annual increase, demographic composition (including nationalities, religious groups)

Demographic indicators:

• population: 11,052 (2017 est.)
• population density: 425 inhabitants/km ² (2017)
• economically active population: 5,950 (2004 est.)
• annual increase: 0.85% (est. 2017)
• birth rate: 2.95 children/woman, 2 births/1000 population (2017 estimate)
• infant mortality rate: 29/1000 births (2018 estimate)
• total death rate 8.5/1000 population (2017 estimate)
• life expectancy at birth: 6 years

Age structure:

• 0-14 years: 29.9%
• 15-64 years: 64.69%
• over 65: 6.02% (2017 est.)

Ethnic composition:

• Polynesan 96%
• Micronized 4%

Religious composition:

• Protestants 98.4% (of which Seventh-day Adventists 1.4%)
• Baha’i 1%
• other 0.6%

Basic macroeconomic indicators for the last 5 years (nominal GDP/cap., development of GDP volume, inflation rate, unemployment rate). Expected development in the territory with an emphasis on the economic sphere.

Source: ADB Development outlook 2018, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Australia

Source: ADB Development outlook 2018, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Australia

Source: ADB Development outlook 2018, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Australia

Source: ADB Development outlook 2018, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Australia

Unemployment data is not available. 2/3 of the population work in the informal economy (subsistence – small-scale agriculture and small-scale fishing).

Expected development in the territory:

Tuvalu is highly dependent on foreign development aid, especially in relation to environmental risks (rising ocean levels, hurricanes, most recently Hurricane Winston in 2016). The country lacks basic infrastructure and the economy is based more on self-sufficiency and fishing. Any one-off business or development project can significantly distort economic indicators.
According to the Asian Development Bank, a continuation of moderate growth supported by the continuation of public projects can be expected in Tuvalu next year. Sound fiscal policy has focused on building budgetary reserves in recent years, in its main funds, the Consolidated Investment Fund and the Tuvalu Survival Fund.

In 2018, ADB predicts a slight decrease in inflation as a result of the drop in demand, but the demand for imported food and fuel should resume in the following year, which should start it up again. The fiscal surplus is also expected to decline due to reduced revenue from fishing license fees and taxes.

In the current account balance, the deficit is expected to increase to 30% of GDP in the next two years due to the growing disparity between the increase in imports of goods and services and the decrease in income from fishing license fees and development grants.

As part of its Pacific Strategy (2016-2020) and Action Plan for Tuvalu, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has prepared funds worth USD 18.9 million for the period 2017-2019, of which USD 1 million is grants. USD million is earmarked for natural disaster relief.

In terms of bilateral development cooperation, Australia has long been Tuvalu’s most important development partner (aid is provided through the Australian Agency for International Development, AusAID). Australian aid priorities are economic stability and good governance, the environment, climate change and education. In 2017-2018, Australia will provide up to AUD 8.5 million in development aid to Tuvalu. For 2018-2019, the current estimate of aid provided is AUD 9.7 million.

Under its own development cooperation program, New Zealand (through the New Zealand Development Agency NZAID) provided Tuvalu with AUD 1 million for the period 2017-2018. New Zealand’s priorities, in addition to participation in the Tuvalu Trust Fund, include macroeconomic stabilization and human resource development (pre-primary education, scholarships, technical training), development of the outer islands, infrastructure and fisheries.