TITLE:
Economics of Households in Pacific Island Countries: A Case Study of Vanuatu and Tuvalu
AUTHORS:
Ranjila Devi Singh, Sarah L. Hemstock
KEYWORDS:
PICs; Households; Livelihood
JOURNAL NAME:
Theoretical Economics Letters,
Vol.3 No.5C,
September
24,
2013
ABSTRACT: The source of livelihood varies amongst the
Pacific Island Countries and also within a country; between urban and rural
areas. Most Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and their households rely on
subsistence activities and agriculture for their livelihood. This research was
based on surveys conducted in Piliura and Tassiriki villages in Vanuatu and
Vaiaku, Senala and Tumaseu villages in Tuvalu, which involved developing a
methodology for household surveys to elucidate issues linked to livelihood. The
analysis revealed that the major source of household income in Vanuatu study
sites was from the sale of products, while in Funafuti (Tuvalu) households earned
the majority of their income from wages/salaries. However, in Tumaseu village
(Tuvalu) the households generated their source of income from both wages and
sale of products. In all the study sites, food was the major household expense.
This study was aimed at allowing researchers and decision makers a better
understanding of the economic realities for households in PICs.