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Australia-Oceania :: Tuvalu

- ## Introduction :: TUVALU

- Background:
  In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. The agreement was subsequently renegotiated but details were not disclosed.

- ## Geography :: TUVALU

- Location:
  Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia
  Geographic coordinates:
  8 00 S, 178 00 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 26 sq km
  land: 26 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 238
  Area - comparative:
  0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  24 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
  Terrain:
  low-lying and narrow coral atolls
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed location 5 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, coconut (copra)
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 60%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 60%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 33.3%
  other: 6.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low levels of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level
  Environment - current issues:
  since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from increasing ocean temperatures and acidification; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon

- ## People and Society :: TUVALU

- Nationality:
  noun: Tuvaluan(s)
  adjective: Tuvaluan
  Ethnic groups:
  Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%
  Languages:
  Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
  Religions:
  Protestant 98.4% (Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%), Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
  Population:
  10,869 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 29.4% (male 1,639/female 1,557)
  15-24 years: 20.27% (male 1,157/female 1,046)
  25-54 years: 36.35% (male 1,946/female 2,005)
  55-64 years: 8.41% (male 373/female 541)
  65 years and over: 5.57% (male 247/female 358) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 25.2 years
  male: 24.1 years
  female: 26.6 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.82% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Birth rate:
  23.74 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Death rate:
  8.74 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Net migration rate:
  -6.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 59.7% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  FUNAFUTI (capital) 6,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.69 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 33.46 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 28.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 66.16 years
  male: 64.01 years
  female: 68.41 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Total fertility rate:
  3 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  30.5% (2007)
  Health expenditures:
  19.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Physicians density:
  1.09 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
  Hospital bed density:
  5.6 beds/1,000 population (2001)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 98.3% of population
  rural: 97% of population
  total: 97.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 1.7% of population
  rural: 3% of population
  total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 86.3% of population
  rural: 80.2% of population
  total: 83.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 13.7% of population
  rural: 19.8% of population
  total: 16.7% of population (2012 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  39.6% (2014)
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  1.6% (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Education expenditures:
  NA

- ## Government :: TUVALU

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Tuvalu
  local long form: none
  local short form: Tuvalu
  former: Ellice Islands
  note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
  Capital:
  name: Funafuti; note - administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet
  geographic coordinates: 8 31 S, 179 13 E
  time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu
  Independence:
  1 October 1978 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
  Constitution:
  previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986; amended 2007, 2010, 2013 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of English common law and local customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: yes
  citizenship by descent: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu
  dual citizenship recognized: yes
  residency requirement for naturalization: na
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Iakoba TAEIA Italeli (since 16 April 2010)
  head of government: Prime Minister Enele SOPOAGA (since 5 August 2013)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections
  election results: Enele SOPOAGA elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote count on 4 August 2013 - 8 to 5; note - Willie TELAVI removed as prime minister by the governor general on 1 August 2013
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral House of Assembly or Fale I Fono (15 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 31 March 2015 (next to be held in 2019)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 15; 12 members reelected
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Court of Appeal is the Fiji Court of Appeal on Fiji Island (consists of the chief justice who visits twice a year); High Court, located on Fiji, consists of the chief justice of Fiji who presides over its sessions
  judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court are appointed by the president of Fiji, upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission, after consulting with the Cabinet Minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70; puisine judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years with mandatory retirement at age 65
  subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; lands courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  there are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  none
  International organization participation:
  ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Aunese Makoi SIMATI (since 11 January 2013)
  chancery: note - Tuvalu does not have an embassy in Washington, D.C.; UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534
  FAX: [1] (212) 937-0692
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu
  Flag description:
  light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow, five-pointed stars on a blue field symbolizing the nine atolls in the ocean
  National symbol(s):
  maneapa (native meeting house); national colors: light blue, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty)
  lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA
  note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto

- ## Economy :: TUVALU

- Economy - overview:
  Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. Only eight of the atolls are inhabited. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its highest point at 4.6 meters above sea level. The country is isolated, almost entirely dependent on imports, particularly of food and fuel, and vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which pose significant challenges to development. The public sector dominates economic activity. Tuvalu has few natural resources, except for its fisheries. Earnings from fish exports and fishing licenses for Tuvalu’s territorial waters are a significant source of government revenue. In 2013, revenue from fishing licenses doubled and totaled more than 45% of GDP. Official aid from foreign development partners has also increased. Tuvalu has substantial assets abroad. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international trust fund established in 1987 by development partners, has grown to $141 million in 2013 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. While remittances are another substantial source of income, the value of remittances has declined since the global financial crisis of 2008. Growing income inequality is one of many concerns for the nation.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $35 million (2014 est.)
  $34.23 million (2013 est.)
  $33.8 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 227
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $38 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.2% (2014 est.)
  1.3% (2013 est.)
  0.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $3,300 (2014 est.)
  $3,200 (2013 est.)
  $3,200 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 184
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 24.5%
  industry: 5.6%
  services: 70% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts; fish
  Industries:
  fishing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  -26.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Labor force:
  3,615 (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Labor force - by occupation:
  note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and through overseas remittances (mostly from workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)
  Unemployment rate:
  NA%
  Population below poverty line:
  26.3% (2010 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $42.68 million
  expenditures: $32.46 million (2012 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  NA (2013 est.)
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  26.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Public debt:
  41.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  43.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.3% (2014 est.)
  2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  10.6% (2013 est.)
  10.6% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $0 (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Current account balance:
  -$10 million (2014 est.)
  -$9 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Exports:
  $600,000 (2010 est.)
  $1 million (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Exports - commodities:
  copra, fish
  Imports:
  $136.5 million (2013 est.)
  $238.6 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Imports - commodities:
  food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
  1.1094 (2013)
  1.67 (2013 est.)
  1.2822 (2009 est.)

- ## Energy :: TUVALU

- Electricity - production:
  11.8 million kWh (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 216
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  5,100 kW (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  96% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 144

- ## Communications :: TUVALU

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 1,500
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 3,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications
  domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands
  international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite (2007)
  Broadcast media:
  no TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV stations; 1 government-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays of programming from international broadcasters (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
  Television broadcast stations:
  0 (2004)
  Internet country code:
  .tv
  Internet users:
  total: 4,100
  percent of population: 38.1% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206

- ## Transportation :: TUVALU

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 235
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 8 km
  paved: 8 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Merchant marine:
  total: 58
  by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 24, chemical tanker 15, container 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1
  foreign-owned: 33 (China 4, Indonesia 1, Maldives 1, Singapore 19, South Korea 1, Turkey 1, Vietnam 6) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Funafuti

- ## Military :: TUVALU

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2012)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 2,021
  females age 16-49: 2,026 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 119
  female: 111 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: TUVALU

- Disputes - international:
  none

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