Tuvalu Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Tuvalu, known as the Ellice Islands prior to 1978, a state comprising nine atolls in Polynesia in the southwestern Pacific, 26 km², 12,000 residents (2019), of which about 10 percent are living abroad as guest workers.The largest atoll is Funafuti, where the capital Fongafale (5,300 residents, 2012) is located.

Country facts

Tuvalu / Tuvalu
Country abbreviation: TV
Area: 26 km²
Population (2019): 12,000 residents
Capital: Fongafale
Main language: tuvalu
State: Monarchy
Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
Head of Government: Enele Sopoaga
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 3,701
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 5,430
Currency unit: $ 1 = 100 cents
Currency code: AUD
Country number (telephony): 688
Internet domain name: tv
Time difference compared to Sweden: +11
National Day: October 1 (Independence Day, 1978)

Nature

Land use: no information available
Highest mountain: not named height (5 m above sea level)

Population

Population density (2019): 462 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.6%; birthrate 25 ‰, death count 9 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (31%), 15-64 (64%), 65- (5%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 64 years, women 67 years
Infant mortality (2019): 21 per 1,000 live births
HDI: no data available
Urbanization rate (2019): 62%
Most populous city (2012): Fongafale (5,300 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2013): agriculture (24%), industry (6%), service (70%)
Exports (2010): US $ 600,000
Main export products: copra, fish
Main exporting countries: Germany, Fiji, Italy
Imports (2013): US $ 136 million
Main import products: food, industrial goods, transport
Main importing countries: Fiji, Japan, Australia
Railway network: nothing in operation

Most of the islands in Tuvalu are atolls with lagoons in the middle and slightly raised coral reefs at the edges. None of the islands reach more than 5 meters above sea level. The average temperature varies between 27 °C in July and 29 °C in January.

Tuvalu is a member of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, represented on the island by a native general governor. According to the constitution, the legislative assembly is elected in general elections for four years. The government is directly responsible to Parliament. Political parties do not exist. The country became independent from the UK in 1978.

As a result, climate change in the region with elevated sea level can threaten Tuvalu’s survival, and the country’s politicians have criticized the industrial world for neglecting the vulnerability of the island states on this point. Tuvalu has tried in vain to get the neighboring countries to approve a plan to relocate affected tuvaluans. Most of the population lives on agriculture, mostly as self-catering. The soil is lean, and the only forage product is copra from coconut trees.

In March 2015, tropical cyclone Pam pulled over Tuvalu, causing major devastation, mainly on the outer islands.