The Fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social systems, and language, which is believed to be the oldest form of Polynesian speech still in existence. Only the Maoris of New Zealand outnumber the Samoans among Polynesian groups.

Population: 177,714 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 28.3% (male 25,548; female 24,668)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 72,820; female 43,563)
65 years and over: 6.3% (male 5,096; female 6,019) (2004 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.2 years
male: 26.8 years
female: 20.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.25% (2004 est.)
Birth rate: 15.69 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate: 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate: -11.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.67 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 28.72 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 33.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.41 years
male: 67.64 years
female: 73.33 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.11 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3
Nationality:
noun: Samoan(s)
adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups:
Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions:
Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.6%
female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

See also : Samoa