Tuvalu

LOCATED IN THE SOUTH Pacific just south of the equator, Tuvalu is composed of nine coral atolls, only eight of which are inhabited. The country was formed out of bitter ethnic differences within the British colony known as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The Polynesians of the Ellice Islands formed Tuvalu in 1975, leaving the Gilbert Islands to the Micronesians. Tuvalu attained independence in 1978. Any changes in sea level can potentially devastate the islands, and evacuation plans are in place to transfer Tuvaluans to Australia or New Zealand if the islands become flooded. Because of their vulnerability to sea changes, Tuvaluans have become concerned with global warming and its effect on the environment.

Tuvalu is relatively poor, with an annual per capita income of only $1,100. None of the islands' land is considered arable because of its poor soil, so only subsistence agriculture exists, and that is unable to support the needs of the population of 11,366. Tuvalu's only major resource is fish, and most islanders earn a livelihood through exploiting the sea, reefs, and atolls.

With much insight, Tuvaluan officials have parlayed the country's internet domain into millions of dollars in royalties by leasing the name “.tv” in return for annual remittances that will expand the islands' revenues from 2000 to 2012. Additional income is derived from allowing Tuvalu's 900 area code to be purchased for business use. The government also depends heavily on regular remittances from Tuvaluans who work abroad, mostly as sailors or in the phosphate industry on Nauru. Tuvalu could not survive without foreign aid, including regular income from an international trust fund supported by Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea. Further income is derived from a fishing treaty with the United States. The government has recently instituted reforms designed to make the island more self-supporting and less dependent on foreign aid.

[Page 1081]While data on many social indicators are unavailable for Tuvalu, it is evident that poverty on Tuvalu must be viewed in relation to the scarcity of opportunities to reach economic viability for individuals and for the nation as a whole. Limited government revenues have led to a weak infrastructure that is unable to provide adequate and accessible transportation, energy, health services, and quality education.

Life expectancy on Tuvalu is 68.01 years. Females have a projected life span of 70.33 years as compared to 65.79 years for males. The median age among islanders is 24.45 years. Approximately 31 percent are below the age of 14, and 5.1 percent of the population have lived to see the age of 65.

Since freshwater resources are not available on Tuvalu, most water needs are met through catchment facilities. Japan has already built one desalination plant on the islands, and plans to build another are in the works. As a result, all of the people on Tuvalu have access to safe drinking water. Improved sanitation is also universally available. There are 59 physicians on the islands, and 80 to 94 percent of the people have access to affordable essential drugs.

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