Samoa: health and care

What is the infant mortality rate in Samoa?

Samoa's infant mortality rate was 17 deaths per 1,000 live births and the under-five rate 20, according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics' Samoa DHS-MICS 2025 full report. Only 35.7% of children aged 12 to 23 months had received all basic vaccinations.

These are survey estimates from a household sample, so they carry a margin of error. The survey also found 89.0% of women were overweight or obese. The full report is large, at about 64 MB.

Official sources: Samoa Bureau of Statistics: Samoa DHS-MICS 2025 full report (PDF)

How many dengue cases are there in Samoa?

Samoa recorded 20,308 clinically diagnosed dengue cases and 5,546 laboratory-confirmed cases from 1 January 2025 to 27 September 2026, with 9 dengue-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Health's dengue situation report no. 76. In the week of 21 to 27 September 2026 there were 35 new clinically diagnosed cases.

Children under 15 made up 73% of cases, and 92% of cases were on Upolu. Both DENV-1 and DENV-2 serotypes are circulating. The Ministry issues a new report each week, so the totals rise.

Official sources: Ministry of Health: Dengue Situation Report no. 76 (PDF)

What is the obesity rate in Samoa?

72.0% of non-pregnant women aged 15 to 49 in Samoa were obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more, and 89.0% were overweight or obese, according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics' Samoa DHS-MICS 2025 report. Rates were similar in urban and rural areas.

Among children under five, 11.2% were overweight, while 5.6% were stunted and 2.0% wasted. The survey was carried out from May to July 2025 on a household sample, so figures carry a margin of error. Survey results for men's weight are not part of this indicator.

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

What is the life expectancy in Samoa?

Life expectancy at birth in Samoa was 71.8 years in 2024, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which use UN population estimates. The same source shows 0.56 doctors per 1,000 people in 2021 (physicians per 1,000).

Life expectancy is a modelled estimate of how long a newborn would live at that year's death rates. Government spent SAT $161.5 million on health in 2025/26, according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics' government finance statistics.

Official sources: World Bank API: life expectancy, Samoa · World Bank API: physicians per 1,000, Samoa · Samoa Bureau of Statistics: Government Finance Statistics, June 2026 quarter (PDF)

What is the average life expectancy in Samoa?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Samoa was 71.8 years, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 71.5 years; Samoa is 14th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 117th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Samoa?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Samoa was 12.3 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.9 per 1,000; Samoa is 17th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 98th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Samoa?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 101 per 100,000. Since 2005 it has ranged from 85.0 per 100,000 (2007) to 115 per 100,000 (2021). East Asia & Pacific median: 82.0 per 100,000; Samoa is 12th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 65th highest.

How much does Samoa spend on health?

6.8% of GDP: that is current health spending in Samoa for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.5% of GDP (2008) to 7.2% of GDP (2021). It is 13th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 5.9% of GDP. Worldwide: 88th of 191.

How much do people in Samoa pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Samoa was 13.4%, according to the WHO. The peak was 14.3% in 2008 and the low 10.6% in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 12.2%, and Samoa placed 13th highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 149th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Samoa?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2021, is 0.56 per 1,000. The peak was 0.56 per 1,000 in 2020 and the low 0.27 per 1,000 in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 1.9 per 1,000; Samoa is 14th highest of 17. Of 123 countries with 2021 data, 93rd highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Samoa?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 85.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 96.0%; its low point was 2018, at 40.0%. It is 19th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 91.0%. Worldwide: 124th of 191.