Motorisation in paradise: the economics of land transport in Tuvalu

Abstract

Tuvalu is the world?s smallest developing country with very limited, infertile and low-lying land resources, and is extremely isolated, even by South Pacific standards. Population densities in Tuvalu are effectively the highest in the South Pacific region, and among the highest in the world. As recently as the late 1980s, land transport was mainly provided by non-motorised vehicles, and transport development initiatives were focused on sea and air transport. However, in less than two decades, motorised vehicles now totally dominate road traffic on the main island of Funafuti where around 50 per cent of the total population of the country resides. This rapid motorisation has taken place despite the almost ideal conditions in Tuvalu for non-motorised road transport.