Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the adjacent Cook Islands, has caused it to be separately administered by New Zealand. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,229 in 2013) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates:
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19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references:
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Oceania
Area:
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total: 260 sq km
country comparison to the world: 213
land: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64 km
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
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tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain:
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steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 11.54%
other: 84.62% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
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typhoons
Environment - current issues:
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increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
one of world's largest coral islands
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Niuean (a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,229 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 237
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.03% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 38% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: -1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Infant mortality rate:
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total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 6
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
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definition: NA
total population: 95%
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 15 years (2005)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Niue
note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee
former: Savage Island
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
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name: Alofi
geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974); amended 1992, 2007 (2007)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark BLUMSKY (since September 2011)
head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and 3 ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held on 16 May 2011 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Toke TALAGI reelected premier in Legislative Assembly vote; Toke TALAGI - 11, Togia SIONEHOLO - 8
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held on 7 May 2011 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal
judge selection and term of office: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68
subordinate courts: High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance of Independents or AI
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross; the larger star stands for Niue, the smaller stars recall the Southern Cross constellation on the New Zealand flag and symbolize links with that country; yellow represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven)
lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA
note: adopted 1974
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in FY08/09 was US$5.7 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.01 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.01 million (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5,800 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 49.5% (2003)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
663 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 231
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 125
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $15.07 million
expenditures: $16.33 million (FY04/05)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-12.6% of GDP (FY04/05)
country comparison to the world: 210
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 125
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$201,400 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 219
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.038 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 222
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$418,000 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.79 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 169
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.57 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 175
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,050 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Communications:
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island
international: country code - 683 (2001)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 government-owned TV station with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 government-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.nu
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79,508 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 83
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 214
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 227
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 120 km
country comparison to the world: 213
paved: 120 km (2011)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Alofi
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand