Tuvalu
Profiled in Funafuti · Oceania and the Pacific
Nine low-lying atolls with a total land area of twenty-six square kilometres, where the airstrip doubles as the national gathering place and sea-level rise is an existential question.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Almost everything arrives by ship a few times a month. The Australian dollar is legal tender and prices reflect extreme freight costs.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Funafuti
- Funafuti International AirportThe runway that serves as the island's public square.
- Funafuti Conservation AreaThirty-three square kilometres of protected reef and lagoon.
- FongafaleThe main islet holding most of the population.
- Tuvalu Philatelic BureauStamps, historically a significant revenue source.
- David's Drill1897 borehole site testing Darwin's coral atoll theory.
- Vaiaku Lagi HotelThe country's only hotel, on the lagoon.
- Tuvalu Meteorological ServiceSea-level monitoring station of global significance.
- NanumagaNorthern island with a submerged cave.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Funafuti Conservation AreaProtected lagoon islets and reef.
- FunafalaUninhabited islet at the southern end of the atoll.
- NanumeaNorthern atoll with a wartime airstrip.
- VaitupuThe largest island by land area.
- NukufetauLagoon atoll with wartime remains.
Residency
Residence follows work permits, and there is no investor route. Australia's 2023 Falepili Union treaty offers a migration pathway for Tuvaluans as sea levels rise.
Tax
Personal and corporate rates are both 30%, with a 7% consumption tax. The Australian dollar is legal tender. Fishing licences, the Tuvalu Trust Fund and .tv domain licensing dominate revenue.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Tuvalu tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of Oceania and the Pacific
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Tuvalu?
About $1,300 a month for one person and $2,800 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $600, and a casual meal costs about $12. Almost everything arrives by ship a few times a month. The Australian dollar is legal tender and prices reflect extreme freight costs.
Is Tuvalu safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 7 out of 10 and healthcare 2 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Tuvalu?
Tuvaluan and English. The currency is Australian dollar (AUD).
What is the capital of Tuvalu?
Funafuti.
How can a foreigner get residency in Tuvalu?
Residence follows work permits, and there is no investor route. Australia's 2023 Falepili Union treaty offers a migration pathway for Tuvaluans as sea levels rise.
What taxes does Tuvalu charge?
Personal and corporate rates are both 30%, with a 7% consumption tax. The Australian dollar is legal tender. Fishing licences, the Tuvalu Trust Fund and .tv domain licensing dominate revenue.