rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
16. Tuvalu
Population
12 373 (July 2009 est.)
Age 0–14 years: 29.2%
15–64 years: 65.6%
65 years and over: 5.2% (2009 est.)
Gender
Literacy
Unemployment
Employment by sector
Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Definition: Not available
Total population: Not available
Male: Not available
Female: Not available
Not available
Note: People make a living mainly through exploitation of
the sea, reefs and atolls and from wages sent home by those
abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)
182
Currency
Exchange rate
Tuvaluan dollar or Australian dollar (AU$)
Per US dollar: 1.2059 (2008 est.)
Source:
16.1 Introduction
Tuvalu was granted independence in 1978
and comprises the territory formerly known
as the Ellice Islands, made up of five coral
atolls and four reef islands. Eight of the nine
islands are inhabited. 887 The population is
largely dependent on subsistence fishing and
agriculture, accounting for about 70 per cent
of employment opportunities. Seafaring on
overseas cargo vessels is a significant source
of employment, as are remittances from
overseas employment.
887 Profile on Tuvalu in CIA, The World Factbook available at: (accessed January 2009); Tuvalu Country
Background Note prepared for UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Cluster Meeting,
15–16 November 2006 (accessed December 2008).