Plastic waste exports in Samoa
Samoa: Plastic waste exports was 10 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Samoa, 2001–2023
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Samoa recorded 10 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2023.
That represents a change of up 25.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Samoa peaked at 22.18 tonnes in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0.015 tonnes, in 2019.
That places Samoa 136th out of 167 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Samoa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0.02 tonnes | — |
| 2002 | 0.1 tonnes | +400.0% |
| 2005 | 9 tonnes | +8900.0% |
| 2009 | 22.18 tonnes | +146.5% |
| 2010 | 20 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 2011 | 10.6 tonnes | -47.0% |
| 2013 | 8 tonnes | -24.5% |
| 2018 | 0.455 tonnes | -94.3% |
| 2019 | 0.015 tonnes | -96.7% |
| 2023 | 10 tonnes | +66573.3% |
Samoa compared with similar countries
- Samoa's 10 tonnes is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 1% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Samoa's 10 tonnes is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 277.15 tonnes, 4% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 7.83 tonnes | 0.02 tonnes | 22.18 tonnes | 4 |
| 2010s | 7.81 tonnes | 0.015 tonnes | 20 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 10 tonnes | 10 tonnes | 10 tonnes | 1 |
Countries ranked near Samoa
- 133 Antigua and Barbuda 16.08 tonnes compare
- 134 Saint Lucia 15.41 tonnes compare
- 135 Madagascar 11.1 tonnes compare
- 137 Niger 10 tonnes compare
- 138 Nepal 8 tonnes compare
- 139 Brunei 7 tonnes compare
More environment data for Samoa
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.3482 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.3183 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.23 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.919 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.68 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -2.51 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Samoa?
- Plastic waste exports in Samoa was 10 tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Samoa?
- The highest recorded value was 22.18 tonnes in 2009.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Samoa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.015 tonnes in 2019.
- How does Samoa rank for plastic waste exports?
- Samoa ranks 136th out of 167 countries with data for 2023.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Samoa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Samoa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.