Samoa: crime and justice

How common is domestic violence in Samoa?

19.0% of ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 in Samoa had faced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a current or former partner in the previous 12 months, according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics' Samoa DHS-MICS 2025 report. Of women reporting physical or sexual violence, 78.8% had never sought help or told anyone.

The survey also found that 82.4% of children aged 1 to 14 had experienced physical punishment or psychological aggression at home in the past month. Survey figures include incidents never reported to police, so they are not comparable with recorded crime. The Samoa Police reports page carried only 2021 newsletters on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Samoa Bureau of Statistics: Samoa DHS-MICS 2025 report (PDF) · Samoa Police: Reports

What is the murder rate in Samoa?

Samoa recorded 6.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2018, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which republish UNODC homicide data. 2018 is the latest year shown.

The rate is based on a small number of cases, so it moves a lot from year to year. Samoa Police did not publish recent crime statistics on its reports page when checked on 15 October 2026. In the Samoa Bureau of Statistics' DHS-MICS 2025 survey, 77.9% of people aged 15 to 49 said they felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark.

Official sources: World Bank API: intentional homicides per 100,000, Samoa · Samoa Police: Reports

What is the homicide rate in Samoa?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the intentional homicide rate in Samoa at 6.3 per 100,000 in 2018. That compares with 8.3 per 100,000 in 2010. It is 3rd highest of 13 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.1 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 36th of 121.

How many women are killed in Samoa?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for women in Samoa at 1.0 per 100,000 in 2018. East Asia & Pacific median: 0.8 per 100,000; Samoa is 3rd highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 61st of 105.

What is the male homicide rate in Samoa?

In 2018, the homicide rate for men in Samoa was 11.4 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. It is 1st highest of 9 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.5 per 100,000. Of 106 countries with 2018 data, 31st highest.