Economy—overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 32% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$232 million (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -1.5% (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,100 (FY97/98 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 10% services: 58% (1996)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 36,665 (1994)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.)