APIA, SAMOA – The Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) unveiled the findings of the 3rd Samoa Labour Force and Child Labour Survey for 2022 in a comprehensive report launched on Friday, February 26, 2024, at the TATTE Convention Centre. This pivotal event marked the continuation of a series of studies aimed at dissecting the country’s labour market dynamics, with previous surveys conducted in 2012 and 2017.
The Honourable Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, Minister of the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, highlighted the survey’s critical insights into Samoa’s employment trends, child and youth labour, and unpaid domestic work. She emphasised the report’s significance in guiding the Samoan Government’s socio-economic development strategies and decision-making processes, particularly in targeting assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of society.
The survey, a collaborative effort funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the Government of Samoa, is instrumental in tracking the country’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Key findings from the 2022 survey reveal a notable decrease in unemployment rates, dropping from 14.5% in 2017 to an impressive 5.0% in 2022. Furthermore, the proportion of youth not engaged in employment, education, or training saw a decline from 37.9% in 2017 to 30.1% in 2022, indicating positive shifts in youth engagement. However, the report also noted a slight decrease in the share of manufacturing employment, from 6.8% to 6.0% over the five-year period.
These findings underscore the Samoan Government’s commitment to economic development and social welfare, as outlined in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa. The survey’s results are poised to play a crucial role in shaping future policies and initiatives aimed at fostering a resilient and inclusive labour market.
For those interested in delving deeper into the survey’s findings, the full report is accessible on the Samoa Bureau of Statistics website (www.sbs.gov.ws). Hard copies of the report are also available upon request through the SBS Chief Executive Officer, Papaliitele Benjamin Sila, via email or phone.
