Country Profile: Tokelau

Tokelau is an isolated group of three low-lying atolls—Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu—located in the South Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and New Zealand. The population, estimated at approximately 2,453 in 2024, is mainly composed of Tokelauan individuals, with many residing in New Zealand. Economically, Tokelau relies heavily on remittances from its citizens in New Zealand and Australia, as well as on funding from New Zealand. The governance structure is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with local governance led by a Council of Elders and a rotating head of government.

Geography

Tokelau consists of three atolls, each surrounding a lagoon and rising no more than 5 meters above sea level, situated in the Pacific cyclone belt. The total land area measures just 12 square kilometers, making it roughly 17 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds from April to November, and natural resources are limited primarily to fish.

12 sq km: Total land area
101 km: Coastline length
200 nm: Exclusive economic zone
5 m: Highest elevation point
0 km: Land borders

People and Society

The population of Tokelau is predominantly Tokelauan, with significant representation from other Pacific Island ethnicities. As of 2024, the total population is estimated at 2,453, with a nearly equal gender distribution. The literacy rate stands at 100%, and the primary languages spoken are Tokelauan and English. The population is largely dependent on remittances, with a notable number of Tokelauans living abroad.

2,453: Population estimate for 2024
100%: Literacy rate (2022)
99.7%: Access to improved drinking water
0%: Urban population (2023)
1.67: Physicians per 1,000 population (2021)

Economy

The economy of Tokelau is characterized as small and primarily reliant on New Zealand for funding and economic opportunities. Its labor force often works in New Zealand or Australia. The economy is supported by small-scale enterprises focusing on copra production, fishing, and handicrafts. Due to limited natural resources, Tokelau's GDP is modest, with significant remittances from citizens abroad contributing to its economy.

$12.658 million: GDP (2017 estimate)
$6,004: GDP per capita (2017 estimate)
4%: Inflation rate (2020 estimate)
60%: Agricultural land use (2023 estimate)
$24,324,473: Budget revenues (2017 estimate)

Government

Tokelau operates as a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand, with unique political institutions and a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The legislative body, known as the General Fono, consists of 20 representatives who are elected every three years. The head of government, or Ulu o Tokelau, rotates annually among the three atolls. Although Tokelauans are citizens of New Zealand, they exercise considerable autonomy in local governance.

Ulu o Tokelau: Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano TUISANO (since March 2025)
20: Seats in the General Fono
21 years: Voting age
6 February: National holiday (Waitangi Day)
King CHARLES III: Current head of state

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for Tokelau fall under New Zealand's jurisdiction, with no standing military forces of its own.

Environment

Tokelau faces several environmental challenges, including overfishing and pollution of freshwater and coastal waters. As a tropical island territory, it is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, specifically rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

0%: Forest area (2022)
60%: Permanent crops in agricultural land (2023)
40%: Other land use (2023)

Communications

Telecommunications in Tokelau have limited infrastructure, with about 300 fixed line subscriptions as of 2010. Internet usage is growing, with approximately 58.3% of the population being internet users as of 2021.

58.3%: Internet usage rate (2021)
300: Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2010 estimate)
Sky TV: Available to about a third of the population

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,453 (2024 est.)
Area	12 sq km
GDP	$12.658 million	(2017 est.)
GDP per capita	$6,004	(2017 est.)
Inflation rate	4%	(2020 est.)
Literacy rate	100%	(2022 est.)
Access to improved water	99.7%	(2022 est.)
Physicians	1.67 per 1,000	(2021)
Agricultural land usage	60%	(2023 est.)
Urban population	0%	(2023)