Samoa’s Economy Continues to Record Positive Growth

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 6 March 2026: The latest report by the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) shows a positive annual growth of 3.7% in the economy in the 6 months of the FY2025/2026 – from July to December 2025.

The report notes while the Samoan economy continues to record positive real annual growth of 3.7% at the end of September 2025, it has slowed down from 4.2% at the end of FY2024/2025 (or June 2025).

“Nevertheless, this is within the 3%-4% long term target as set out in the current Pathway for the Development of Samoa,” says CBS.

CBS also notes that the declining inflation rate of 2.2% at the end of December 2025 is also well within the CBS annual target of 3.0%.

Samoa’s external sector remains strong with Foreign Reserves sitting at $1,658.46 million which is enough to cover 16.2 months of imports (should a sudden unforeseen economic shock impact Samoa).

The report notes that the banking system remains sound – well capitalized, highly liquid with robust asset quality.

The CBS report also highlighted the drop in the Government’s external debt which now sits at $686.52 million from $1.2billion in 2020.

Current economic status- July-December 2025

• GDP Annual Growth – 3.7% (September 2025)
• Inflation rate -2.2% (December 2025)
• Foreign Reserves – $1,658.5 million (16.2 months of imports cover December 2025
• Nominal Effective Exchange rate – +0.14% (appreciation over June 2025)
• Money supply – $1,816.0 million (4.2% annual growth rate)
• Tourism Earnings – $377.2 million
• Official Interest Rate – 2.91%
• Inward Private Remittances – $478.1 million
• Excess Liquidity – $511.5 million (December 2025)
• Capital Adequacy Ratio – 28.9%
• Government External Debt – 19.1% of nominal GDP as of September 2025
• Financial System Credit Growth Rate – $2,286.6 million.