The mid-year population estimate for American Samoa, released Thursday by the Department of Commerce, is 53,616 — an increase of 288 individuals compared to the 2023 mid-year population estimate.
There were 27,236 men and 26,379 women.
DOC says the increase can be attributed to the economic resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic, driving the demand for guest workers in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and services.
The trend of people relocating to the mainland and Hawaii continues. 48,780 residents arrived while 50,895 departed, resulting in a net loss of 2,165 residents.
790 new births are recorded for 2024 compared to an average of over a thousand annually in the past five years. The recorded number of deaths stood at 426, resulting in a modest natural population growth of only 364 individuals.
According to DOC, this demographic data highlights a concerning trend of low fertility rates in the region.
“The continuous decrease in fertility rates is anticipated to have far-reaching effects across various facets of community life, including health, education, economy, society, and the environment. While some impacts may initially appear beneficial, the long-term repercussions are expected to be predominantly adverse. Notably, the Total Fertility Rate in American Samoa was 3.2 children per woman of childbearing age (15-44) in 2010, declining to 2.0 children by 2020 and maintaining this rate in 2021.”
