Ryan Davis

With over 98% of its 54,517 inhabitants self identifying as Christians, non-Christian traditions in American Samoa are few and far between.  The 1.7% of American Samoa’s non-Christian population consists of Chinese Universalists, Buddhists, Bahá’í and agnostics.

Little is known about religion in American Samoa prior to 1830.  While Europeans envisioned Samoans as violent and warlike, the origins of this stereotype and any ties it may have had to the native religion of the islands remains a mystery.  In 1830, however, European missionaries descended on the islands of American Samoa, beginning a long history of Christianity in American Samoa.

Christian Congregationalists account for about half of all Christians in American Samoa.  Other large denominations include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) to which just under 29% of the population belongs and the Catholic Church to which 20% of the population belongs.

Some secondary schools in American Samoa are operated and administered by religious organizations.

Sources: The Association of Religion Data Archives, “American Samoa”; CIA World Factbook; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Newsroom”