Subsistence and cash crop agriculture may characterize Samoa’s rural economy but this sector now contributes less than 20% to GDP. Tourism and the service sectors have expanded to account for 50% whilst industrial output has reached 25% of the national income.

Notwithstanding the necessary imports, receipts from major exports such as fish, coconut products, and kava (ava), together with development assistance, have kept the balance of payments in surplus.

Recent economic reform has resulted in the lowering of tariffs and taxes and improved the economic infrastructure of the country, laying claim to Samoa having one of the strongest and most diversified economies in the Pacific region.