Population2,453
Area12 km²
GDP per capita$6,004
LanguagesTokelauan , English, Samoan, Tuvaluan, Kiribati, other languages, none, unspecified
CurrencyNew Zealand dollars
Governmentparliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Introduction
Background
Tokelau consists of three atolls: Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu, which were initially settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. Although the atolls functioned with a degree of independence, Fakaofo Atoll ultimately came to dominate the others. The atolls were first observed by British explorers in 1765 and 1791. In the 1840s, both Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived, converting the local populace on the islands where they landed.
In 1863, Peruvian slave raiders kidnapped many island inhabitants, and outbreaks of disease around the same time diminished the population to approximately 200. Subsequently, settlers from various nationalities began to intermarry with the Tokelauans. During this era, local governance transitioned to a system reliant on a Council of Elders, which continues to this day. British interest in the region emerged in the late 1870s, leading to Tokelau becoming a British protectorate in 1889. In 1916, under the designation Union Group, Tokelau became integrated into the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. The UK transferred administrative control of Tokelau to New Zealand in 1925. The Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 officially shifted sovereignty from the UK to New Zealand, granting Tokelauans New Zealand citizenship. In 1979, the United States abandoned its claim to Tokelau through the Treaty of Tokehega, while Tokelau also renounced its claim to Swains Island, which is part of American Samoa.
Economic prospects in Tokelau are limited, with around 80% of Tokelauans residing in New Zealand. Self-governance referendums were conducted in Tokelau in 2006 and 2007, where over 60% of voters expressed a preference for free association with New Zealand; however, these referendums did not achieve the required two-thirds majority to implement a change in status.
Geography
Area
land
12 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
12 sq km
Climate
tropical; influenced by trade winds (April to November)
Terrain
low-lying coral atolls that enclose extensive lagoons
Land use
other
40% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
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.)
Location
Oceania, a collection of three atolls located in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Coastline
101 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
unnamed location 5 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Map references
Oceania
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
situated within the Pacific cyclone zone
Geography - note
comprises three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each featuring a lagoon encircled by various reef-bound islets that rise to over 3 m (10 ft) above sea level
Natural resources
fish
Area - comparative
approximately 17 times larger than the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
9 00 S, 172 00 W
Population distribution
the small populace is relatively uniformly distributed across the three atolls
People & Society
Literacy
male
100% (2022 est.)
female
100% (2022 est.)
total population
100% (2022 est.)
Languages
Tokelauan 88.1% (a language of Polynesian origin), English 48.6%, Samoan 26.7%, Tuvaluan 11.2%, Kiribati 1.5%, other languages 2.8%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 estimates)
Religions
Congregational Christian Church 50.4%, Roman Catholic 38.7%, Presbyterian 5.9%, other Christian denominations 4.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 estimates)
Population
male
1,201 (2024 est.)
total
2,453 (2024 est.)
female
1,252 (2024 est.)
Nationality
noun
Tokelauan(s)
adjective
Tokelauan
Urbanization
urban population
0% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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 estimates)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
52.7 (2024)
youth dependency ratio
40 (2024)
potential support ratio
7.9 (2024)
elderly dependency ratio
12.6 (2024)
Physician density
1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Net migration rate
-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 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.)
Population growth rate
-0.01% (2019 est.)
Population distribution
the small population is relatively evenly spread across the three atolls
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.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; influenced by trade winds (April through November)
Land use
other
40% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
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.)
Urbanization
urban population
0% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environmental issues
overfishing; harm to forest resources; contamination of freshwater and coastal waters due to improper chemical disposal
Government
Flag
description: a stylized yellow Tokelauan canoe glides on a dark blue backdrop towards four white five-pointed stars positioned on the left
meaning: the stars symbolize the Southern Cross constellation, reflecting the significance of Christianity in Tokelauan culture; together, the stars and canoe represent the nation's journey into the future; yellow signifies happiness and peace, while blue represents the ocean
Capital
time difference
UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see New Zealand
Constitution
history
numerous prior; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand)
amendment process
introduced as a resolution by the General Fono; its passage necessitates backing from each village and ratification by the General Fono
Country name
former
Union Islands, Tokelau Islands
etymology
the term originates from the Polynesian word tokelau, which translates to "north wind;" the designation "Tokelau Islands" was adopted in 1946, with the abbreviated form coming into use in 1976
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Tokelau
Independence
none (territory of New Zealand)
Legal system
common law system of New Zealand
Government type
parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (in New Zealand) (comprises the court president and 8 judges who convene in panels of 3 or 5, depending on the case)
subordinate courts
High Court (in New Zealand); Council of Elders or Taupulega
judge selection and term of office
judges are nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and must receive approval from three-quarters of the Parliament; they hold their positions for life
Executive branch
cabinet
the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (or Tokelau Council) operates as a cabinet; it includes 3 village leaders (Faipule) and 3 village mayors (Pulenuku)
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by New Zealand's Governor-General 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)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; the governor-general is appointed by the monarch; the administrator is chosen by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is selected from the Council of Faipule to serve for a term of one year
National holiday
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840)
Dependency status
Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand and constitutes part of the Realm of New Zealand; it has its own political institutions, judicial framework, public services (including telecommunications and shipping), and budgetary authority
National color(s)
blue, yellow, white
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
term in office
3 years
number of seats
20
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
General Fono (Fono Fakamua)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
26 January 2023
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
15%
parties elected and seats per party
independents (20)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; typically performed only in the presence of a royal family member or the governor-general
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
tuluma (fishing tackle box)
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
Economy
Budget
revenues
$24,324,473 (2017 est.)
expenditures
$11,666,542 (2017 est.)
Industries
small-scale businesses involved in copra production, woodworking, and the creation of plaited craft items; stamps, currency; fishing activities
Exchange rates
Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
1.542 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.414 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.577 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.628 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
1.652 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a diminutive economy on a territorial island of New Zealand; the labor force is capable of employment in either New Zealand or Australia; considerable remittances; predominantly powered by solar energy; dependent on financial support from New Zealand; producer of stamps, coins, and crafts
Exports - partners
Czechia 92%, Singapore 2%, Brazil 1%, South Africa 1%, Sri Lanka 1% (2023)
Imports - partners
Samoa 31%, Italy 23%, France 21%, Netherlands 16%, Germany 2% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2015
$4,292 (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2016
$4,855 (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2017
$6,004 (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, root vegetables, tropical fruits, pork, bananas, eggs, chicken (2023)
Exports - commodities
automobiles, telephones, clothing, iron fasteners, textiles (2023)
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, stone processing machinery, refined petroleum, gas turbines, plastic goods (2023)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.658 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
11% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
2.5% (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
4% (2020 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$7,711,583 (2017 est.)
Energy
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
58.3% (2021 est.)
Broadcast media
Approximately one-third of the population has access to Sky TV; every atoll manages a radio service that provides updates on shipping and weather (2019)
Internet country code
.tk
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
300 (2010 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
22 (2010 est.)
Transportation
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation of defense falls upon New Zealand.
