| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TVISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TUVISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | FunafutiGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | OceaniaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | TuvaluCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | No authoritative open source found |
| Local name | TuvaluCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | the name in the local language means "group of eight" or "eight standing together," referring to eight of the country's nine islands; the remaining island, Nui, was left out of the original grouping because its inhabitants spoke a different language; the former name was given in honor of Canadian shipping company owner Alexander Ellice, who owned a ship that visited the islands in 1819CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 1 October 1978 (from the UK)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 October (1978)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Feleti Penitala TEO (Governor Gen.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | AUDISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | Australian DollarISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 8ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Funafuti / Nanumaga / Nanumea / Niutao / Nui / Nukufetau / Nukulaelae / VaitupuISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | maneapa (native meeting house)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "God Save the King"; lyrics/music: unknown; history: used since 1745CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | light blue, yellowCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: yes; citizenship by descent only: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu; dual citizenship recognized: yes; residency requirement for naturalization: naCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
the name in the local language means "group of eight" or "eight standing together," referring to eight of the country's nine islands; the remaining island, Nui, was left out of the original grouping because its inhabitants spoke a different language; the former name was given in honor of Canadian shipping company owner Alexander Ellice, who owned a ship that visited the islands in 1819
description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the right half of the flag has nine five-pointed yellow stars meaning: the stars represent a map of the country, with each symbolizing an atoll in the ocean
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
