Pacific / American Samoa

Struggling tuna industry sees American Samoa economy shrink

07:30 am on 7 September 2018

American Samoa's economy appears to be shrinking.

Its estimated gross domestic product decreased by more than five percent in 2017, according to data from the US Department of Commerce.

It says tuna canning industry exports "declined significantly" last year.

It says estimates show American Samoa's real GDP decreased 5.3 percent in 2017 after dropping 2.7 percent in 2016.

In comparison, the United States's overall GDP was up 2.2 percent in 2017 after increasing 1.6 percent the year before.