Statistical information Tokelau 1996

Tokelau in the World

Tokelau - Introduction 1996

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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.

Tokelau - Geography 1996

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Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area
Total: 10 km²
Land: 10 km²
Comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: Tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Terrain: Coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: 5 m

Natural resources: Negligible

Land use

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

Geography

Tokelau - People 1996

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Population:

1,482 (July 1996 est.)
1,503 (July 1995 est.)

Growth rate:

-1.35% (1996 est.)
-1.3% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Tokelauan(s)
Adjective: Tokelauan

Ethnic groups: Polynesian

Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

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

Demographic profile

Age structure

Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate:

-1.35% (1996 est.)
-1.3% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population Infant Mortality Rate:NA deaths/1000 live births

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
Current issues Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt
International agreements: NA

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: NA years
Male: NA years
Female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment

Tokelau - Government 1996

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Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Tokelau

Government type: Territory of New Zealand

Capital: None; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions: None (territory of New Zealand)

Dependent areas

Independence: None (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Constitution: Administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970

Legal system: British and local statutes

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: NA

Executive branch: Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; the queen and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) who was appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand Head of Government:Official Secretary Casimilo J. PEREZ (since NA), Tokelau Apia Liaison Office

Legislative branch: Unicameral General Fono:Seats_(45 total, 15 chosen by each of the three atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega)

Judicial branch: High Court in Niue, Supreme Court in New Zealand

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation

Flag description

: The flag of New Zealand is used

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage

Tokelau - Economy 1996

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Economy overview: Tokelau's small size, 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.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: NA

Real gdp per capita ppp

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: Coconuts, copra; basic subsistence crops_breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats

Industries:

Small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods
Stamps, coins
Fishing

Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate NA

Labor force: NA

Labor force