Tokelau
Introduction
Background
<p>Tokelau is composed of three atolls (Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu), and it was first settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. The atolls operated relatively independently, but Fakaofo Atoll eventually subjugated the others. British explorers first saw the atolls in 1765 and 1791. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s and converted the population on the islands on which they landed.<br><br>In 1863 Peruvian slave raiders abducted many islanders, and roughly contemporary outbreaks of disease reduced the population to about 200. Settlers of diverse nationalities subsequently intermarried with Tokelauans. In the same period, local governance moved to a system based on a Council of Elders, which still exists today. British interest began in the late 1870s, and Tokelau became a British protectorate in 1889, and in 1916 under the name Union Group, Tokelau became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. In 1925, the UK placed Tokelau under New Zealand administration. The Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 formally transferred sovereignty from the UK to New Zealand, and Tokelauans were granted New Zealand citizenship. In 1979, the US relinquished its claim to Tokelau in the Treaty of Tokehega, and Tokelau relinquished its claim to Swains Island, which is part of American Samoa.<br><br>Economic opportunities in Tokelau are sparse, and about 80% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Tokelau held self-governance referendums in 2006 and 2007 in which more than 60% of voters chose free association with New Zealand; however, the referendums failed to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to enact a status change. </p>
Geography
Location
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates
9 00 S, 172 00 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
total
12 sq km
land
12 sq km
water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 17 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Coastline
101 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain
low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
Elevation
highest point
unnamed location 5 m
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
agricultural land
60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
other
40% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
the small population is fairly evenly distributed among the three atolls
Natural hazards
lies in Pacific cyclone belt
Geography - note
consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m (10 ft) above sea level
People and Society
Population
total
2,453 (2024 est.)
male
1,201 (2024 est.)
female
1,252 (2024 est.)
Nationality
noun
Tokelauan(s)
adjective
Tokelauan
Ethnic groups
Tokelauan 64.5%, part Tokelauan/Samoan 9.7%, part Tokelauan/Tuvaluan 2.8%, Tuvaluan 7.5%, Samoan 5.8%, other Pacific Islander 3.4%, other 5.6%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 est.)
Languages
Tokelauan 88.1% (a Polynesian language), English 48.6%, Samoan 26.7%, Tuvaluan 11.2%, Kiribati 1.5%, other 2.8%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 ests.)
Religions
Congregational Christian Church 50.4%, Roman Catholic 38.7%, Presbyterian 5.9%, other Christian 4.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
52.7 (2024)
youth dependency ratio
40 (2024)
elderly dependency ratio
12.6 (2024)
potential support ratio
7.9 (2024)
Population growth rate
-0.01% (2019 est.)
Net migration rate
-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Population distribution
the small population is fairly evenly distributed among the three atolls
Urbanization
urban population
0% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Literacy
total population
100% (2022 est.)
male
100% (2022 est.)
female
100% (2022 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
overfishing; damage to forest resources; pollution of freshwater and coastal waters from improper disposal of chemicals
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
Land use
agricultural land
60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
other
40% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
0% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Tokelau
former
Union Islands, Tokelau Islands
etymology
the name comes from the Polynesian word <em>tokelau</em>, meaning "north wind;" the name "Tokelau Islands" was adopted in 1946, and the shortened form in 1976
Government type
<p>parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy</p>
Dependency status
Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand and part of the Realm of New Zealand; Tokelau has its own political institutions, judicial system, public services (including telecommunications and shipping), and budget control
Capital
time difference
UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Legal system
common law system of New Zealand
Constitution
history
many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand)
amendment process
proposed as a resolution by the General Fono; passage requires support by each village and approval by the General Fono
Citizenship
see New Zealand
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 September 2021); New Zealand is represented by Administrator Don HIGGINS (since June 2022)
head of government
(Ulu o Tokelau) Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano TUISANO (since 17 March 2025)
cabinet
Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (or Tokelau Council) functions as a cabinet; consists of 3 village leaders (Faipule) and 3 village mayors (Pulenuku)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule to serve a 1-year term
Legislative branch
legislature name
General Fono (Fono Fakamua)
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
20
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
3 years
most recent election date
26 January 2023
parties elected and seats per party
independents (20)
percentage of women in chamber
15%
expected date of next election
January 2026
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (in New Zealand) (consists of the court president and 8 judges sitting in 3- or 5-judge panels, depending on the case)
judge selection and term of office
judges nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and approved by three-quarters majority of the Parliament; judges serve for life
subordinate courts
High Court (in New Zealand); Council of Elders or Taupulega
Political parties
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of New Zealand)
International organization participation
PIF (associate member), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Independence
none (territory of New Zealand)
National holiday
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840)
Flag
<strong>description:</strong> a stylized yellow Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward four white five-pointed stars on the left side<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the stars are the Southern Cross constellation and represent the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture; the stars and canoe together symbolize the country navigating into the future; yellow stands for happiness and peace, and blue for the ocean
National symbol(s)
tuluma (fishing tackle box)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, white
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
lyrics/music
unknown
history
official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present
Economy
Economic overview
small New Zealand territorial island economy; labor force can work in New Zealand or Australia; significant remittances; largely solar-powered infrastructure; reliant on New Zealand funding; stamp, coin, and crafts producer
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$7,711,583 (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2017
$6,004 (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2016
$4,855 (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2015
$4,292 (2015 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.658 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
4% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
2.5% (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
11% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, root vegetables, tropical fruits, pork, bananas, eggs, chicken (2023)
Industries
small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
Budget
revenues
$24,324,473 (2017 est.)
expenditures
$11,666,542 (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
Czechia 92%, Singapore 2%, Brazil 1%, South Africa 1%, Sri Lanka 1% (2023)
Exports - commodities
cars, telephones, garments, iron fasteners, fabric (2023)
Imports - partners
Samoa 31%, Italy 23%, France 21%, Netherlands 16%, Germany 2% (2023)
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, stone processing machines, refined petroleum, gas turbines, plastic products (2023)
Exchange rates
Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
1.652 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.628 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.577 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.414 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
1.542 (2020 est.)
Energy
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
300 (2010 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
22 (2010 est.)
Broadcast media
Sky TV access for about a third of the population; each atoll operates a radio service with shipping news and weather reports (2019)
Internet country code
.tk
Internet users
percent of population
58.3% (2021 est.)
Transportation
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand