Tuvalu: health and care

What are the main causes of death in Tuvalu?

Diseases of the circulatory system caused 26 of 108 certified deaths (24.1%) in Tuvalu between July 2024 and June 2025, according to the Making Death Count cause of death report published by the Central Statistics Division. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, caused 20 (18.5%), followed by cancers, external causes (7) and respiratory diseases (6).

The report says non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of death. Causes are taken from medical certificates and coded through a Pacific regional coding service in Fiji, which Tuvalu is piloting with Fiji and Tonga, supported by the Pacific Community. The 2026–27 budget allocates about A$11.1 million to the Tuvalu Overseas Medical Referral Scheme.

Official sources: Central Statistics Division: Making Death Count, Tuvalu cause of death analysis (PDF) · Ministry of Finance and Economic Development: 2026–2027 National Budget (PDF)

What is the life expectancy in Tuvalu?

Life expectancy at birth in Tuvalu was about 76 years (76.3) for 2019 to 2021, according to the Central Statistics Division's 2022 census report. Infant mortality was 19.1 per 1,000 live births for boys and 16.1 for girls.

The figure is an indirect estimate: the report notes that small numbers of deaths make age patterns irregular in a population this size, so it uses the life expectancy implied by census data on child survival. The report shows life expectancy rising from about 50 years in the 1950s to 65 in the 1980s and about 70 in 2010.

Official sources: Central Statistics Division: Tuvalu 2022 Population and Housing Census report (PDF)

What is life expectancy in Tuvalu?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Tuvalu was 67.3 years in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 25th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 71.5 years. Worldwide: 151st of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Tuvalu?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Tuvalu was 16.5 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.9 per 1,000; Tuvalu is 11th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 75th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Tuvalu?

170 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Tuvalu for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 230 per 100,000; its low point was 2018, at 153 per 100,000. East Asia & Pacific median: 82.0 per 100,000; Tuvalu is 5th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 44th of 192.

How much does Tuvalu spend on health?

27.1% of GDP: that is current health spending in Tuvalu for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 5.9% of GDP; Tuvalu is 1st highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 1st highest.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Tuvalu?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Tuvalu at 0.0% in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 12.2%, and Tuvalu placed 29th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 191st of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Tuvalu?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Tuvalu at 1.3 per 1,000 in 2020. That compares with 1.1 per 1,000 in 2009. East Asia & Pacific median: 1.3 per 1,000; Tuvalu is 10th highest of 19. Of 136 countries with 2020 data, 82nd highest.

How many children in Tuvalu are vaccinated against measles?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 97.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 98.0%; its low point was 2005, at 62.0%. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; Tuvalu is 6th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 31st of 191.