Land Give-Away Attracts Residents To Pitcairn Island

A tiny island set in the South Pacific is so keen to grow its population that land is being given away to those wishing to build a permanent home there.

The Pitcairn Islands group is a British Overseas Territory comprised of Henderson, Ducie, Oeno and the only inhabited island of Pitcairn. The island is roughly 2170km from Tahiti and 6600km from Panama with its administrative headquarters located 3300km away in Auckland, New Zealand.

The population of Pitcairn Island has gradually reduced from a peak level of over 200 people in the 1930s to the current count of 49 permanent residents, leading the government to seek a solution.

In 2014, the government implemented the Pitcairn Islands Repopulation Plan setting out to 'attract and retain migrants to Pitcairn and address a number of key areas including housing, education and health to ensure the Plan is successful'.

The rugged, natural beauty of Pitcairn Island provides a comfortable albeit secluded lifestyle to its residents. There's a store, warehouse, library and health centre open three days of the week, a reliable electricity supply, high-speed internet and free education available for school-age children.

People wishing to make a life on Pitcairn Island would have to be largely self-sufficient and probably self-employed as there are few jobs on offer. However, the government are prepared to entice interested parties with the offer of a free land allocation for new permanent residents to build their homes.

To find out how to apply for a live on Pitcairn Island please visit http://www.immigration.gov.pn/

Tourism plays a major role on Pitcairn, providing locals with 80% of their annual income. Occasionally, passengers from expedition-type cruise ships will go ashore for a few days, staying with local families and experiencing the island's history while contributing to the local economy.

Each year around ten cruise ships stop at the island for a few hours, generating income for the locals from the sale of souvenirs, landing fees and the stamping of passports.

Providing accommodation for tourists is a growing source of revenue on Pitcairn and some families have invested in private, self-contained units adjacent to their homes for tourists to rent. The government are actively promoting tourism on the Island and have secured EU funding to assist in the development of its infrastructure to support growth in the sector.

It's an interesting although slightly unusual opportunity but ultimately, one that promises to transform lifestyles, offering true integration into the tight-knit community of the world's least populated islands.