Photo: Neil derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Samoa: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Samoa is placed joint 136th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 20.2 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 101.49 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
joint136th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Samoa on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
101.49
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Samoa: 101.49. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Polynesia
- 0.11 Cook Islands
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.708
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 122nd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Samoa: 0.708. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Polynesia
- 0.769 Tonga
02Over time
Which way Samoa is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
SamoaWorld median
Samoa rose from 92.95 in 2000 to 101.49 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Samoa World median 2023 101.49 46.7 2022 110.15 53.0 2021 115.37 76.6 2020 113.57 56.0 2019 110.51 48.4 2018 110.17 49.3 2017 110.63 47.2 2016 107.74 50.6 2015 107.74 51.9 2014 106.26 52.8 2013 100.47 53.3 2012 100.75 54.6 2011 92.88 55.0 2010 92.28 56.1 2009 93.60 56.3 2008 86.53 55.8 2007 84.97 56.8 2006 86.00 58.1 2005 87.43 60.1 2004 86.12 63.0 2003 86.65 66.8 2002 88.78 66.0 2001 92.71 68.1 2000 92.95 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
SamoaWorld median
Samoa rose from 0.676 in 2000 to 0.708 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Samoa World median 2023 0.708 0.7620 2022 0.703 0.7610 2021 0.706 0.7450 2020 0.708 0.7425 2019 0.708 0.7515 2018 0.711 0.7520 2017 0.712 0.7480 2016 0.712 0.7500 2015 0.708 0.7430 2014 0.706 0.7410 2013 0.706 0.7390 2012 0.707 0.7350 2011 0.711 0.7250 2010 0.708 0.7250 2009 0.694 0.7220 2008 0.702 0.7180 2007 0.701 0.7100 2006 0.697 0.7045 2005 0.694 0.6960 2004 0.691 0.6960 2003 0.687 0.6910 2002 0.682 0.6845 2001 0.683 0.6770 2000 0.676 0.6720
03In context
Samoa beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Samoa and Polynesia
Samoa has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cook Islands | 1st | 100 | 0.11 | — |
 Tonga | 115th | 28.2 | 66.78 | 0.769 |
| Samoa | =136th | 20.2 | 101.49 | 0.708 |
 Tuvalu | 155th | 4.5 | 169.71 | 0.689 |
 American Samoa | not placed | — | — | — |
 French Polynesia | not placed | — | — | — |
 Niue | not placed | 48.6 | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Polynesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Samoa in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Samoa is ahead of the world, and behind
40 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median13
Statistics on which Samoa does better than the middle country measured.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.953.246No real change since 2015
Samoa: 3.95 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 78 · derived.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.17.417.1No earlier reading
Samoa: 7.4 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 107th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.87.29313.8No earlier reading
Samoa: 7.293 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 116th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7451.7440.74No earlier reading
Samoa: 51.74 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 40th of 136 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93311.339.933▼ Worsened since 2013
Samoa: 11.33 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 59th of 193 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0513.717.05No real change since 2019
Samoa: 13.7 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 106th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.893.980.8No earlier reading
Samoa: 93.9 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5463.0573.546No earlier reading
Samoa: 3.057 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 99th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1345.8398.134No real change since 2014
Samoa: 5.839 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 121st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0250.039No real change since 2022
Samoa: 0.025 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 65th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8582.1732.858▲ Improved since 2014
Samoa: 2.173 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 117th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.11.922.1No real change since 2014
Samoa: 1.92 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2612.2612.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Samoa: 12.26 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 101st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median19
Statistics on which Samoa does worse than the middle country measured.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5414.8614.54No real change since 2014
Samoa: 14.86 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 100th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5480.564▲ Improved since 2018
Samoa: 0.548 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 91st of 172 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1638.4358.163No real change since 2013
Samoa: 8.435 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 95th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.944.245.9No earlier reading
Samoa: 44.2 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2524.6914.252No earlier reading
Samoa: 4.691 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 74th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.930.343.9No earlier reading
Samoa: 30.3 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6744.8946.67▼ Worsened since 2012
Samoa: 44.89 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 113th of 195 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4160.351▲ Improved since 2019
Samoa: 0.416 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 105th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9550.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Samoa: 0.955 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 113th of 184 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6371.774.63▼ Worsened since 2013
Samoa: 71.7 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 222 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2738,55314,273▲ Improved since 2015
Samoa: 8,553 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 66th of 102 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.362.8369.3▼ Worsened since 2016
Samoa: 62.83 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 125th of 188 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.4413.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Samoa: 12.44 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 130th of 195 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918491▲ Improved since 2015
Samoa: 84 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2657,96317,265No real change since 2015
Samoa: 7,963 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 130th of 185 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 907690▲ Improved since 2015
Samoa: 76 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.466.998.4No earlier reading
Samoa: 66.9 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.890.875.8No earlier reading
Samoa: 90.8 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 4th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.75023.75No earlier reading
Samoa: 0 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare5
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Samoa: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Samoa: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6518.6518.65No earlier reading
Samoa: 18.65 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.6090.609No real change since 2019
Samoa: 0.609 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 85th of 169 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Samoa: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1322.613No earlier reading
Samoa: 22.6 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.57911.342.579Moved since 2013
Samoa: 11.34 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 20th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.264.92511.26Moved since 2015
Samoa: 4.925 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 116th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Samoa
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Cereal Yield, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Foundational ID Ownership, Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Low Birthweight Prevalence, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2013), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2013), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2013), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2013), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2013) and Prosperity Gap (last 2013). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Samoa’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Samoa’s 12th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability25th of 1863/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 56th of 1832/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties67th of 1983/4 keys
- Energy68th of 1652/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade73rd of 1773/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing95th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience94th of 1933/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge99th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation91st of 1762/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 106th of 1942/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality99th of 1592/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 136th of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture128th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology152nd of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour152nd of 1824/4 keys
No standing on Peace & Security: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Samoa can most readily be measured against.
1Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
Cook Islands1st2/3 keysThis page
Samoa=136th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Samoa and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Samoa on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Samoa rank on development & human capital?
Samoa is placed joint 136th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Samoa?
20.2 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Samoa?
101.49 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How have Samoa’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio rose from 92.95 in 2000 to 101.49 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.676 in 2000 to 0.708 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Samoa?
No current reading is published for Samoa on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Cereal Yield, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Foundational ID Ownership, Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Low Birthweight Prevalence, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 40 statistics on this page come from 11 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Samoa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Samoa (banner) — Neil derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Samoa: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/samoa/development