Total arrivals for the first quarter of 2024 were 1,739, a 16 percent decrease from the total arrivals recorded for the fourth quarter of 2023. The month with the highest arrivals was January. The total number of visitors for the first quarter of 2024 was 853, an increase of 8 percent compared to the number of visitors in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand make up 42 percent of the total visitors with Fiji being the highest at 19 percent. About 3 in every 10 visitors visited Tuvalu for a holiday and another 3 in every 10 visited Tuvalu for Government purposes.
Total departures for the fourth quarter of 2024 were 2,146, a 2 percent decrease from the total departures in the fourth quarter of 2023. The month with the highest departures was February. The total number of resident departures in the first quarter of 2024 was 1,214 which is an 8 percent decrease compared to the first quarter of 2023. About 4 in every 10 residents traveled overseas for family or social purposes. Almost 80 percent of residents travel for family/social, education, and government purposes. Note that about 5 percent of residents travel for medical purposes and 2 percent migrate.
The total number of births for the first quarter of 2024 was 46 which is a 7 percent increase compared to the number of births in the fourth quarter of 2023. Overall, the birth of male children is slightly higher than female children. About 119 males for every 100 births of female children in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 115 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The population estimated for the first quarter of 2024 was 9,853, a decrease of about 2.4 percent compared to the population estimated for 2023. It is worth noting from the section on migration that there is still a significant difference in the arrival and departure of residents. The base used for the estimates was the resident population count from the 2017 mini-census.
The total number of visitors for 2023 was 3,136. Visitors increased 10-fold (1,185 percent) in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase is due to the lifting of travel restrictions in 2023. Most of the visitors arrived in the country were males in 2023.
The total number of residents departures for 2023 was 4,490. Resident departures increased two times (222 percent) in 2023 compared to the previous year (2022). This is due to the lifting of travel restrictions in 2023. There are lots of male residents travel out of the country compared to female residents in 2023.
The total number of births for 2023 was 232 which is a 14 percent decrease when compared to the total births in 2022. Overall, births of female children are slightly higher than that of male children. About 1.03 females for every birth of a male child in 2023 compared to 0.87 in 2022.
The total number of deaths in 2023 was 127, a 55 percent increase from 2022. Most deaths occur at the main hospital in Funafuti. About 1 in every 3 deaths occurred at home.
The population estimated for 2023 decreased by about 4.6 percent compared to the population estimated for 2022. It is worth noting from the section migration that there were very significant increases in travel which may cause such a decrease in the estimate. The base used for the estimates was the resident population count from the 2017 mini-census.
CSD has compiled the IMTS 2023 Q2 report. There is an increase in the trade deficit due to increased imports and decreased exports. More information will be detailed in the report and the release tables.
