Statistical information Tokelau 1989
Tokelau in the World
top of pageBackground: 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.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 101 km
Maritime claimsExtended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
ElevationNatural resources: negligible
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
top of pagePopulation: 1,700 (July 1989), growth rate 0.0% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Tokelauan(s; adjective - Tokelauan
Ethnic groups: all Polynesian, with cultural ties to Western Samoa
Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language) and English
Religions: 70% Congregational Christian Church, 30% Roman Catholic; on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: NA births/1000 population (1989)
Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1989)
Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1989)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: lies in Pacific typhoon belt
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1989)
Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1989)
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1989)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: NA%, but probably high
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: none
Government type: territory of New Zealand
Capital: none, each atoll has its own administrative center
Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: universal adult
Executive branchLegislative branch: the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand is empowered to appoint an administrator to the region; the powers of the administrator are delegated to the official secretary at the Office of Tokelau Affairs in Apia, Western Samoa
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationIn the us: none (territory of New Zealand)
Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development. The islands have a subsistence economy, and the people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services. 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.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: coconuts, copra; basic subsistence crops - pulaka, breadfruit, pawpaw, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats
Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods, stamps, coins
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $430,830; expenditures $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (FY87)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983)
Commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts
Partners: NZ
Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983)
Commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
Partners: NZ
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: none
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5985 (January 1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity productionElectricity consumptionElectricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalsTokelau - Transnational issues 1989
top of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs