The economy of Samoa is primarily dependent on agriculture and fishing. It is considered as a developing economy in the Pacific region.

(Source: BBC)

Gross domestic product (GDP)

(Source: Central Bank, Central Bank)

In 2010, the county reported GDP of WST 1.49 billion as compared to WST 1.43 billion in 2009.

Gross national income (GNI)

(Source: Central Bank)

The country’s GNI in the year 2010 was WST 1.45 billion as compared to WST 1.38 billion in 2009.

GNI per capita

GNI per capita at PPP was USD 4,270 in the year 2009 as compared to USD 4,480 in 2008.

(Source: World Bank)

Income tax rates

The highest income tax levied on individual income is 27%.

(Source: revenue.gov.ws)

Corporate tax Rates

Corporate tax rate levied on domestic companies is 27% on their global taxable income, whereas for the foreign companies it is 27% on the taxable income earned in Samoa.

(Source: revenue.gov.ws, doingbusiness.org)

Inflation

Inflation rate in the country was -0.2% in the year 2010 as compared to 14.35% in 2009.

(Source: IMF)

FDI inflow

Foreign direct investment in Samoa was projected at WST 20 million in the year 2010 as compared to WST 18.3 million in 2009.

(Source: Central Bank)

Banking Sector Assets

Total assets of Central Bank of Samoa were USD 392.12 million in the year 2010, an increase of 23.23% over the previous year.

(Source: Central Bank)

Consumer price index

Base, March 2004 = 100

(Source: National Statistics)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Samoa is on a steady rise since 2001. In 2009, CPI was 132.4 as compared to 124.5 in 2008.

Interest rate deposits

(P: Projections)

(Source: Central Bank of Samoa)

The interest rate on deposits offered by commercial banks in the year 2010 was 4.81%.

Money supply (currency in circulation)

(Source: Central Bank)

Government expenditure

In 2010, the total expenditure is recorded at WST 677.9million. For 2011, the Government projection of total expenditure is WST 669.2 million.

(Source: National Statistics)

Official exchange rate

WST per USD rate for the year 2009 was registered at 2.51. The exchange rate for 2008 was 2.92 WST per USD.

(Source:Central Bank)

Government finances

Fiscal balance

The country registered a fiscal deficit of WST 144.6 million in the year 2010 as compared to a deficit of WST 60.5 million in 2009.

B= Budgeted

(Source: National Statistics)

Total revenue

(B: Budgeted)

(Source: National Statistics)

In 2010, country reported total revenues of WST 533.3 million, comprising tax revenue contribution of 88.58% and non tax revenue contribution of 11.42%. The budgeted figure of total revenue for 2011 is WST 385.3 million.

Tax revenue

Total tax revenue of the country was WST 337.6 million in the year 2010, as compared to WST 324.7 million in 2009.

(Source: National Statistics)

Total grants

(Source:National Statistics)

The country received external grants amounting to WST 152.8 million. The budgeted figure for 2011 is WST 143.4 million.

Current account balance

(Source:Central Bank)

Samoa has registered current account deficit WST 20.8 million for year 2009. In 2010, the deficit is projected to be WST 129.7 million.

Balance of Payments

(Source: Central Bank)

Labour force

Total labour force in the country was 62,306 in the year 2009, as compared to 62,115.7 in the year 2008.

(Source: World Bank)

Unemployment rate

The unemployment rate in the year 2001 was 2.62%. The unemployment rate in case of males and females is 1.62% and 0.99% respectively.

(Source: ILO)

Minimum wages

Minimum wages for a 19 year-old worker or an apprentice is USD 128.7 per month.

(Source: Doingbusiness.org)

Level of unionisation

The country’s law allows freedom of association and assembly. The workers are allowed to form and join trade unions. The workers and civil servants have the right to strike and collective bargaining.

(Source: estandardsforum.org)

Samoa Trade Union Congress is the major trade union in the country.

(Source: ICFTU)

Government stability

Samoa has a parliamentary democratic system of government. The head of state has a role similar to that of a monarch. The prime minister is the head of government. The head of state is elected by the parliament for a term of five years. The prime minister is appointed by the head of state. The executive powers are with the cabinet, members of which are chosen by the prime minister.

The parliament, known as Fono, is comprised of 49 members, directly elected for a term of five years. Of the 49 seats, 47 are reserved for ethnic Samoans and the remaining two seats are for members of other communities.

Major political parties include Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Samoa Party (SP), Tautua Samoa Party (TSP), and The People's Party (TPP).

Mr. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi is the current President of Samoa, belonging to Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).

(Source: Samoa Gov, State.gov, IPU)

Regulatory environment

(Source: heritage.org)

The country’s economic freedom score is 60.6, making its economy the 84^th freest in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom. Samoa was placed 13^th out of 43 regional countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Corruption perception

The Corruption Perceptions (CPI) index 2010 is a survey to measure the perceived level of corruption across countries worldwide. Samoa is ranked 62^nd on this list, indicating the corruption level across the public departments is fairly low. The CPI score of Samoa for 2010 is 4.1.

(Source: Transparency.org)

Freedom of information

World Press Freedom Index 2010 ranks Samoa at 111^th rank. Country’s score is 33 points indicating that its media is moderately regulated by the Government.

Journalists are restricted to report freely on certain political issues.

(Source: rsf.org)

Newspapers

·         Le Samoa

·         Samoa Observer

·         Samoa Times

·         Savali

·         Talamua Magazine

(Source:BBC)

Judicial system

The legal system is based on the English legal system. The judicial system includes Supreme Court, two District Courts and Appeal Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court of justice. There are six local judges who oversee the operations of Supreme Court and District Courts.

The judicial system also includes Land and Titles Court which deals with the issues of customary land ownership and ‘matai’ (chief) titles.

(Source: Govt.ws)

Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy, with a constitution as of 23^rd December 1991.

The citizens of Slovenia are vested with the power to elect their representatives directly through elections. The government is based on the principle of separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

The legislative branch consists of the national assembly and the national council. The national assembly is the highest legislative authority, which consists of 90 deputies, who are elected directly for the term of four years. The national council represents social, economic, professional and local interests, and is comprised of forty members.

The executive branch consists of the president and the government. The president is the head of the state and is elected for a term of five years. The government is led by the prime minister and the cabinet.

Major political parties in Slovenia are:

• Socialni Demokrati
• Slovenska Demokratska Stranka
• Zares
• Demokratična Stranka Upokojencev Slovenije

(Source: Government of Slovenia, slovenia.si, state.gov, parties-and-elections.de)

Regulatory environment in Slovenia

The national assembly has the rights to pass decisions, to propose laws, and to call a referendum on issues, which are subject to regulation by law. It further has the right to decide on the use of the defence forces, and it maintains the right to declare war or a state of emergency.

(Source: Government of Slovenia, slovenia.si)

Literacy rate

The literacy rate in the year 2010 was 98.8%.

(Source: UNDP)

Education resources

Education is compulsory from the age of five to 14 years. Primary school begins at the age of five and lasts for six years. Secondary education begins at 11 years of age and lasts for seven years.

The student teacher ratio at the primary level is 25:1. The enrolment rate in primary schools is 91% for both girls and boys. The enrolment rate in secondary schools for boys and girls is 61% and 69% respectively.

In the year 2008, public expenditure on education was 5.4% of the GDP.

(Source: estandardsforum.org)

Healthcare resources

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the health care sector in Samoa. In terms of health care resources, for every 100,000 individuals, the country had 174 nurses and midwives; 28 physicians; and 100 hospital beds.

In 2004, the major causes of deaths in Samoa include cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. The mortality rate for cancer was 59 per 100,000 individuals, whereas for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the mortality rate (per 100,000 population) was 29.5 and 240.7 respectively.

In 2007, the per capita health expenditure was USD 152 and total expenditure was about 5% of the GDP.

(Source: estandardsforum.org)

Consumer price index (CPI)

 Consumer price index (CPI) of Slovenia stood at 100 in February 2011.

Base, 2005 = 100

(Source: Central Bank)

 Interest rates on saving deposits / time deposits

 The monthly basic interest rate in March 2011 fell to 0.1%, and the annual rate fell to 1.18%.

 (Source: Central Bank)

 

Interest Rates (%)
	2010	2009
Deposits - Households
Overnight deposits	0.21	0.28
Time deposits with agreed maturity (Up to 2 years)	2.62	3.48
Time deposits with agreed maturity (Above 2 years)	3.93	4.04
Non-financial corporations
Overnight Deposits	0.27	0.32
Time deposits with agreed maturity (Up to 2 years)	2.01	2.93
Time deposits with agreed maturity (Above 2 years)	4.08	4.17

(Source: Central Bank)

Money supply (currency in circulation)

 Total money in circulation was EUR 3,377million as of 31 January 2011.

 

Government expenditure

Expenditure of Government of Slovenia (EUR ‘000)
	2010	2009
Current expenditure	14,081,470	13,638,690
Capital expenditure	1,694,851	1,788,490
Total expenditure	15,776,320	15,427,180

(Source: Central Bank)

Official exchange rate

(Source: Central Bank)

Government financial well-being

 Fiscal balance

The fiscal deficit for 2010 was EUR 1,714.3 million, as compared to a deficit of EUR 1,619.7 million in 2009.

Total revenue

Total revenue of the country for 2010 was EUR 14,062.04 million, which grew by 1.84% over the previous year.

Total Revenue of Government of Slovenia (EUR ‘000)
	2010	2009
Total Revenue	14,062,040	13,807,488
Tax revenues	12,845,537	12,955,347
Nontax revenue	920,423	682,810
Current revenue	13,765,960	13,638,156
Capital revenue	174,166	103,928
Grants	12,488	11,140
Transfers	109,427	54,263

(Source: Central Bank)

Tax revenue

Total tax revenue of the country in 2010 was EUR 12,845.53 million, which declined by 0.84% over the previous year.

Total Tax Revenue of Government of Slovenia (EUR million)
	2010	2009
Total Tax revenue	12,845.53	12,955.34
Taxes on income, profits and capital gains	2,487.9	2,805.08
Taxes on payroll and work force	28.07	28.49
Social security contributions	5,234.48	5,161.25
Taxes on property	219.74	206.97
Domestics taxes on goods and services	4,780.63	4,660.12
Taxes on international trade and transactions	90.7	90.53
Other taxes	4.01	2.88

(Source: Central Bank)

Total grants

In 2010, the country received total grants of EUR 12,488 million, as compared to EUR 11,140 million for 2009.

(Source: Central Bank)

Current account balance - surplus/deficit

In 2010, the country registered a current account deficit of EUR 418.7 million, as compared to a deficit of EUR 525.7 million in 2009.

(Source: Central Bank)

Balance of payments

Balance of payments (EUR million)
	2010	2009
Current account Balance	-418.7	-525.7
Capital and financial account	352.1	220.4
Net errors and Omissions	66.6	305.3

(Source: Central Bank)