Tokelau (2001) | Tokelau (2003) | |
Administrative divisions | none (territory of New Zealand) | none (territory of New Zealand) |
Age structure | 0-14 years:
NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% |
0-14 years: 42%
15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2003 est.) |
Agriculture - products | coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats | coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats |
Airports | none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Samoa | none; lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft (2002) |
Area | total:
10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 10 sq km
land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. According to a UN report, these low-lying islands will disappear in the 21st century, if global warming continues to raise sea levels. | Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. |
Birth rate | NA births/1,000 population | NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Budget | revenues:
$430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.) |
revenues: $430,830
expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.) |
Capital | none; each atoll has its own administrative center | none; each atoll has its own administrative center |
Climate | tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) | tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) |
Coastline | 101 km | 101 km |
Constitution | administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 | administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Tokelau |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tokelau |
Currency | New Zealand dollar (NZD) | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
Death rate | NA deaths/1,000 population | NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Debt - external | $0 | $0 |
Dependency status | territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with Wellington | self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution and developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of New Zealand) | none (territory of New Zealand) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of New Zealand) | none (territory of New Zealand) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economic aid - recipient | $3.8 million (1995) | from New Zealand about $4 million annually |
Economy - overview | Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. | Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. |
Electricity - consumption | NA kWh | NA kWh |
Electricity - production | NA kWh | NA kWh |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel:
NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% |
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m |
Environment - current issues | very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand | very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand |
Ethnic groups | Polynesian | Polynesian |
Exchange rates | New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996) | New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.154 (2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) |
Executive branch | chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term |
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993)
head of government: Aliki Faipule Pio TUIA (since NA 2002) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders - one from each atoll - functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term |
Exports | $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983) | $98,000 f.o.b. (1983) |
Exports - commodities | stamps, copra, handicrafts | stamps, copra, handicrafts |
Exports - partners | NZ | NZ (2000) |
Fiscal year | 1 April - 31 March | 1 April - 31 March |
Flag description | the flag of New Zealand is used | the flag of New Zealand is used |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.) | purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture:
NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA% services: NA% |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.) | purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate | NA% | NA% |
Geographic coordinates | 9 00 S, 172 00 W | 9 00 S, 172 00 W |
Geography - note | - | consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three meters above sea level |
Highways | total:
NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km |
total: NA km
paved: NA km unpaved: NA km |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%:
NA% highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
Imports | $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983) | $323,000 c.i.f. (1983) |
Imports - commodities | foodstuffs, building materials, fuel | foodstuffs, building materials, fuel |
Imports - partners | NZ | NZ (2000) |
Independence | none (territory of New Zealand) | none (territory of New Zealand) |
Industrial production growth rate | NA% | NA% |
Industries | small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing | small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing |
Infant mortality rate | NA deaths/1,000 live births | total: NA%
male: NA% female: NA% |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | NA% | NA% |
International organization participation | SPC, WHO (associate) | SPC, UNESCO (associate), WHO (associate) |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 (2000) | 1 (2000) |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA sq km |
Judicial branch | Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau | Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau |
Labor force | NA | NA |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.) |
arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
Languages | Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English | Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English |
Legal system | British and local statutes | New Zealand and local statutes |
Legislative branch | unicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono | unicameral General Fono (48 seats; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono |
Life expectancy at birth | total population:
NA years male: NA years female: NA years |
total population: NA years
male: 68 years female: 70 years (2003 est.) |
Literacy | - | NA |
Location | Oceania, group of three islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand | Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
Map references | Oceania | Oceania |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
Merchant marine | none (2000 est.) | none (2002 est.) |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of New Zealand | defense is the responsibility of New Zealand |
National holiday | Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) | Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) |
Nationality | noun:
Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan |
noun: Tokelauan(s)
adjective: Tokelauan |
Natural hazards | lies in Pacific typhoon belt | lies in Pacific typhoon belt |
Natural resources | NEGL | NEGL |
Net migration rate | NA migrant(s)/1,000 population | NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Political parties and leaders | none | none |
Political pressure groups and leaders | none | none |
Population | 1,445 (July 2001 est.) | 1,418 (July 2003 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | NA% |
Population growth rate | -0.92% (2001 est.) | 0.01% (2003 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Radio broadcast stations | AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998) |
AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of unknown type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports (1998) |
Radios | 1,000 (1997) | - |
Railways | 0 km | 0 km |
Religions | Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%
note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant |
Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%
note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant |
Sex ratio | - | NA (2003 est.) |
Suffrage | 21 years of age; universal | 21 years of age; universal |
Telephone system | general assessment:
adequate domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997 |
general assessment: adequate
domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite earth stations, established in 1997 |
Telephones - main lines in use | NA | NA |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 0 (2001) | 0 (2001) |
Television broadcast stations | NA | - |
Terrain | low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons | low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons |
Total fertility rate | NA children born/woman | NA children born/woman (2003 est.) |
Unemployment rate | NA% | NA% |
Waterways | none | none |