Countries and Regions

	Table of Contents
p. 3 of 20 BACK | NEXT I. Country Performance Assessment A. Economic Performance Assessment B. Poverty Assessment C. Assessment of Socio-Environmental Performance D. Governance: Sound Development Management E. Implementation Assessment II. Country Operational Strategy III. Sector Strategies IV. Regional Economic Cooperation V. Donor Activities and Aid Coordination VI. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources VII. ADB’s Operational Program VIII. Economic and Sector Work Program IX. Local Cost Financing

Country Assistance Plans - Samoa : I. Country Performance Assessment

---

B. Poverty Assessment

6. In general, poverty has not been regarded as a problem in Samoa. GDP per capita is in excess of $1,200; private remittance flows from Samoans living abroad have been substantial; and the extended family system has functioned as an effective means of redistributing income. Samoa’s Human Poverty Index (HPI) is the fourth lowest among PDMCs after Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Fiji Islands. The HPI score of 5.9 reflects the relatively low percentage of people not expected to survive to the age of 40 (10.3 percent); a low illiteracy rate (4.3 percent); the low percentage of people without access to safe water (10 percent); a zero percentage of people without access to health services; and a relatively high percentage of children under 5 years of age who are underweight (17 percent).

7. A poverty analysis was undertaken as part of a UNDP Poverty Strategies Initiative (PSI) project in Samoa. Studies were conducted to assess food poverty, basic needs poverty and relative poverty. Using a model diet formulated by the Department of Health’s Nutrition Center, the food poverty analysis concluded that 48 percent of households did not have sufficient income to meet their estimated food requirements. Of these, the majority were in the rural areas of Savaii, and Upolu, with the household in the urban Apia area faring slightly better. The relative poverty analysis also highlighted the rural areas of Samoa as being most vulnerable to poverty, with Savaii as the region of most concern. However, the survey data were of questionable value because of sampling problems, and the food poverty line was set unusually high. The Government intends to conduct another survey in 2001 in order to provide reliable data for poverty measurement.

8. Although poverty may not be the severe problem as it is in other developing countries, Samoa is especially vulnerable to external economic shocks and natural disasters. Poverty and vulnerability are linked as the latter threatens the sustainability of livelihoods. The United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has calculated a composite vulnerability index that places Samoa the 20th most vulnerable among 111 developing countries.

9. The Government’s economic strategy aims to encourage private-sector led, and broader-based growth in output and employment, as well as to facilitate social development, within a good governance environment. Accordingly, Government has given high priority to the education and health sectors, to provide people with greater opportunities to advance themselves. The Government also supports a rural development program to improve power distribution, transport infrastructure, and communications, in order to create more opportunities for those in Savaii and the rural areas of Upolu, where the lowest income levels tend to occur.

Back A. Economic Performance Assessment	Next C. Assessment of Socio-Environmental Performance