French Polynesia - PF - PYF - Australia and Oceania

Last updated: April 17, 2024
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia locator map
French Polynesia map

French Polynesia Images

  • A Matterhorn of the South Pacific on the island of Mo’orea as seen from offshore. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

    A Matterhorn of the South Pacific on the island of Mo’orea as seen from offshore. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

  • The islets that make up Tetiꞌaroa are located 53 km (33 mi) north of Tahiti and have a total surface area of 6 sq km (2 sq mi); they were once the vacation spot for Tahitian royalty. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The islets that make up Tetiꞌaroa are located 53 km (33 mi) north of Tahiti and have a total surface area of 6 sq km (2 sq mi); they were once the vacation spot for Tahitian royalty. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Considered by many as one of the natural wonders of the world, the island of Bora-Bora is a single island surrounded by an extensive coral reef and a beautiful blue lagoon captured in the center of this low-oblique photograph. The coral reef north of Bora-Bora is Tupai Atoll. The two islands southeast of Bora-Bora - Tahaa (northern island) and Raiatea (larger southern island) - are encircled by a single coral reef system. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Considered by many as one of the natural wonders of the world, the island of Bora-Bora is a single island surrounded by an extensive coral reef and a beautiful blue lagoon captured in the center of this low-oblique photograph. The coral reef north of Bora-Bora is Tupai Atoll. The two islands southeast of Bora-Bora - Tahaa (northern island) and Raiatea (larger southern island) - are encircled by a single coral reef system. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • A direct overhead view of Bora Bora from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

    A direct overhead view of Bora Bora from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The islands of Taha’a and neighboring Raiatea to the immediate south are enclosed by the same coral reef; they may once have been a single island. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The islands of Taha’a and neighboring Raiatea to the immediate south are enclosed by the same coral reef; they may once have been a single island. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The tropical island of Moorea as viewed from the International Space Station. The barrier reefs surrounding the island create zones of shallow, tranquil light blue waters. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The tropical island of Moorea as viewed from the International Space Station. The barrier reefs surrounding the island create zones of shallow, tranquil light blue waters. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Located about 355 km (220 mi) northeast of Tahiti, Rangiroa Atoll in the Tuatomus is one of the largest atolls in the world. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Located about 355 km (220 mi) northeast of Tahiti, Rangiroa Atoll in the Tuatomus is one of the largest atolls in the world. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Mataiva Atoll is notable in that its central lagoon includes a network of ridges (white, image center) and small basins formed from eroded coral reefs. Mataiva means “nine eyes” in Tuamotuan, an allusion to nine narrow channels on the south-central portion of the island. The atoll is sparsely populated, with only a single village, Pahua, located on either side of the only pass providing constant connection between the shallow (light blue) water of the lagoon and the deeper (dark blue) adjacent Pacific Ocean. Much of the 10-km (6-mi)-long atoll is covered with forest (greenish brown). Vanilla and copra (dried coconut) are major exports from the atoll, but tourism is becoming a larger part of the economy. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Mataiva Atoll is notable in that its central lagoon includes a network of ridges (white, image center) and small basins formed from eroded coral reefs. Mataiva means “nine eyes” in Tuamotuan, an allusion to nine narrow channels on the south-central portion of the island. The atoll is sparsely populated, with only a single village, Pahua, located on either side of the only pass providing constant connection between the shallow (light blue) water of the lagoon and the deeper (dark blue) adjacent Pacific Ocean. Much of the 10-km (6-mi)-long atoll is covered with forest (greenish brown). Vanilla and copra (dried coconut) are major exports from the atoll, but tourism is becoming a larger part of the economy. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Heart-shaped Maupiti is a small coral atoll with a volcanic island in its midst; the total land area is about 11 sq km (4.2 sq mi). Image courtesy of NASA.

    Heart-shaped Maupiti is a small coral atoll with a volcanic island in its midst; the total land area is about 11 sq km (4.2 sq mi). Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Hiva Oa Island in the Marquesas archipelago.

    Hiva Oa Island in the Marquesas archipelago.

  • Nuku Hiva Island in the Marquesas archipelago.

    Nuku Hiva Island in the Marquesas archipelago.

  • Stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.

    Stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.

  • Elaborate stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.

    Elaborate stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.

  • A view over Baie d'Anaho on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington

    A view over Baie d'Anaho on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington

  • The view overlooking Baie Taiohae on Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. The settlement of Taiohae is in the middle ground of the photo at the end of the bay. It is the largest settlement on Nuku Hiva. Photo courtesy of NOAA/ Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington

    The view overlooking Baie Taiohae on Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. The settlement of Taiohae is in the middle ground of the photo at the end of the bay. It is the largest settlement on Nuku Hiva. Photo courtesy of NOAA/ Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington

  • Another view of "paradise." This is Bora Bora's "downtown," a tiny grocery store, a car rental place, and not much else.

    Another view of "paradise." This is Bora Bora's "downtown," a tiny grocery store, a car rental place, and not much else.

  • Panoramic view of Moorea.

    Panoramic view of Moorea.

  • View from Bora Bora in the Society Islands.

    View from Bora Bora in the Society Islands.

  • Fakarava Islands in the Society Islands.

    Fakarava Islands in the Society Islands.

  • Off the coast of Bora Bora in the Society Islands.

    Off the coast of Bora Bora in the Society Islands.

  • Moorea in the Society Islands.

    Moorea in the Society Islands.

  • Waterfalls near Papeete, Tahiti, in the Society Islands.

    Waterfalls near Papeete, Tahiti, in the Society Islands.

  • Yellow tang at Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.

    Yellow tang at Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.

  • Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.

    Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.

  • Over-water bungalows in Bora Bora are a major tourist draw.

    Over-water bungalows in Bora Bora are a major tourist draw.

  • Relaxation is the name of the game in Bora Bora.

    Relaxation is the name of the game in Bora Bora.

  • Palm trees and beaches in Bora Bora.

    Palm trees and beaches in Bora Bora.

  • Tranquility on Bora Bora.

    Tranquility on Bora Bora.

  • Evening on the beach in Bora Bora.

    Evening on the beach in Bora Bora.

  • Nightfall over an over-water bungalow in Bora Bora.

    Nightfall over an over-water bungalow in Bora Bora.

  • Bora Bora's underwater life is plentiful and beautiful.

    Bora Bora's underwater life is plentiful and beautiful.

  • Bora Bora from the air.

    Bora Bora from the air.

  • Bora Bora from the air; over-water bungalows in lower left.

    Bora Bora from the air; over-water bungalows in lower left.

  • Memorial in Papeete, Tahiti to victims of atomic weapons testing in French Polynesia. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.

    Memorial in Papeete, Tahiti to victims of atomic weapons testing in French Polynesia. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.

  • Commemorative inscription at the atomic weapons testing memorial in Papeete, Tahiti. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.

    Commemorative inscription at the atomic weapons testing memorial in Papeete, Tahiti. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.

  • Double rainbows over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.

    Double rainbows over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.

  • A rainbow following a tropical downpour over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.

    A rainbow following a tropical downpour over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.

  • Leaning palm trees with metal bands to stop incursions of coconut crabs. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

    Leaning palm trees with metal bands to stop incursions of coconut crabs. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

  • A Bora Bora view showing palm trees and a volcanic plug with a white sandy beach in the foreground. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

    A Bora Bora view showing palm trees and a volcanic plug with a white sandy beach in the foreground. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

  • Palm trees, tropical vegetation, and a volcanic peak on the island of Bora Bora. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

    Palm trees, tropical vegetation, and a volcanic peak on the island of Bora Bora. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

  • A Matterhorn of the South Pacific on the island of Mo’orea as seen from offshore. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

    A Matterhorn of the South Pacific on the island of Mo’orea as seen from offshore. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

1 of 41

  • The island of Tahiti, the largest in French Polynesia, is part of a volcanic chain formed by the northwestward movement of the Pacific Plate over a fixed hotspot. Tahiti consists of two old volcanoes - the larger Tahiti-Nui in the northwest and Tahiti-Iti in the southeast - linked by an isthmus. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The islets that make up Tetiꞌaroa are located 53 km (33 mi) north of Tahiti and have a total surface area of 6 sq km (2 sq mi); they were once the vacation spot for Tahitian royalty. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Considered by many as one of the natural wonders of the world, the island of Bora-Bora is a single island surrounded by an extensive coral reef and a beautiful blue lagoon captured in the center of this low-oblique photograph. The coral reef north of Bora-Bora is Tupai Atoll. The two islands southeast of Bora-Bora - Tahaa (northern island) and Raiatea (larger southern island) - are encircled by a single coral reef system. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • A direct overhead view of Bora Bora from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The islands of Taha’a and neighboring Raiatea to the immediate south are enclosed by the same coral reef; they may once have been a single island. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The tropical island of Moorea as viewed from the International Space Station. The barrier reefs surrounding the island create zones of shallow, tranquil light blue waters. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Located about 355 km (220 mi) northeast of Tahiti, Rangiroa Atoll in the Tuatomus is one of the largest atolls in the world. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Mataiva Atoll is notable in that its central lagoon includes a network of ridges (white, image center) and small basins formed from eroded coral reefs. Mataiva means “nine eyes” in Tuamotuan, an allusion to nine narrow channels on the south-central portion of the island. The atoll is sparsely populated, with only a single village, Pahua, located on either side of the only pass providing constant connection between the shallow (light blue) water of the lagoon and the deeper (dark blue) adjacent Pacific Ocean. Much of the 10-km (6-mi)-long atoll is covered with forest (greenish brown). Vanilla and copra (dried coconut) are major exports from the atoll, but tourism is becoming a larger part of the economy. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Heart-shaped Maupiti is a small coral atoll with a volcanic island in its midst; the total land area is about 11 sq km (4.2 sq mi). Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Hiva Oa Island in the Marquesas archipelago.
  • Nuku Hiva Island in the Marquesas archipelago.
  • Stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.
  • Elaborate stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.
  • A view over Baie d'Anaho on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington
  • The view overlooking Baie Taiohae on Nuku Hiva in the Iles Marquesas. The settlement of Taiohae is in the middle ground of the photo at the end of the bay. It is the largest settlement on Nuku Hiva. Photo courtesy of NOAA/ Lieutenant Rebecca Waddington
  • Another view of "paradise." This is Bora Bora's "downtown," a tiny grocery store, a car rental place, and not much else.
  • Panoramic view of Moorea.
  • View from Bora Bora in the Society Islands.
  • Fakarava Islands in the Society Islands.
  • Off the coast of Bora Bora in the Society Islands.
  • Moorea in the Society Islands.
  • Waterfalls near Papeete, Tahiti, in the Society Islands.
  • Yellow tang at Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.
  • Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands.
  • Over-water bungalows in Bora Bora are a major tourist draw.
  • Relaxation is the name of the game in Bora Bora.
  • Palm trees and beaches in Bora Bora.
  • Tranquility on Bora Bora.
  • Evening on the beach in Bora Bora.
  • Nightfall over an over-water bungalow in Bora Bora.
  • Bora Bora's underwater life is plentiful and beautiful.
  • Bora Bora from the air.
  • Bora Bora from the air; over-water bungalows in lower left.
  • Memorial in Papeete, Tahiti to victims of atomic weapons testing in French Polynesia. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.
  • Commemorative inscription at the atomic weapons testing memorial in Papeete, Tahiti. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Wingate.
  • Double rainbows over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.
  • A rainbow following a tropical downpour over the island of Mo’orea. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Emily Olson.
  • Leaning palm trees with metal bands to stop incursions of coconut crabs. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.
  • A Bora Bora view showing palm trees and a volcanic plug with a white sandy beach in the foreground. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.
  • Palm trees, tropical vegetation, and a volcanic peak on the island of Bora Bora. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.
  • A Matterhorn of the South Pacific on the island of Mo’orea as seen from offshore. Photo courtesy of NOAA / Anthony R. Picciolo.

French Polynesia Factbook Data

Dependency status

overseas country of France; note - overseas territory of France from 1946-2003; overseas collectivity of France since 2003, though it is often referred to as an overseas country due to its degree of autonomy

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (overseas lands of France)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.62% (male 31,923/female 30,250)

15-64 years: 68.79% (male 106,657/female 100,731)

65 years and over: 10.59% (2023 est.) (male 15,567/female 16,360)
2023 population pyramids
This is the population pyramid for French Polynesia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

15 00 S, 140 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Natural hazards

occasional cyclonic storms in January

Area - comparative

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

Environment - current issues

sea level rise; extreme weather events (cyclones, storms, and tsunamis producing floods, landslides, erosion, and reef damage); droughts; fresh water scarcity

Population below poverty line

19.7% (2009 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Exports - commodities

paintings, pearls, tuna, aircraft parts, coconut oil, vanilla, electrical panels (2021)

Exports - partners

United States 47%, Japan 17%, France 14%, Netherlands 4%, Poland 3% (2021)

Administrative divisions

5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, singular - subdivision administrative): Iles Australes (Austral Islands), Iles du Vent (Windward Islands), Iles Marquises (Marquesas Islands), Iles Sous-le-Vent (Leeward Islands), Iles Tuamotu-Gambier; note - the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands together make up the Society Islands (Iles de la Societe)

Agricultural products

coconuts, fruit, roots/tubers, pineapples, cassava, sugar cane, eggs, tropical fruit, tomatoes

Military and security forces

no regular military forces

Budget

revenues: $1.891 billion (2012)

expenditures: $1.833 billion (2011)

Capital

name: Papeete (located on Tahiti)

geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W

time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name means "water basket" and refers to the fact that the islanders originally used calabashes enclosed in baskets to fetch water at a spring in the area

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, passenger ships (2021)

Climate

tropical, but moderate

Coastline

2,525 km

Constitution

history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply

Exchange rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
113.474 (2022 est.)
100.88 (2021 est.)
104.711 (2020 est.)
106.589 (2019 est.)
101.047 (2018 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Eric Spitz (since 23 September 2022)

head of government: President of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023)

cabinet: Council of Ministers approved by the Assembly from a list of its members submitted by the president

elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; French Polynesia president indirectly elected by Assembly of French Polynesia for a 5-year term (no term limits)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Flag description

two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a Polynesian canoe rides on the wave pattern; the canoe has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors

note: identical to the red-white-red flag of Tahiti, the largest and most populous of the islands in French Polynesia, but which has no emblem in the white band; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Independence

none (overseas land of France)

Industries

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA); note - appeals beyond the French Polynesia Court of Appeal are heard by the Court of Cassation (in Paris)

judge selection and term of office: judges assigned from France normally for 3 years

subordinate courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 12.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 6.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 5.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.7% (2018 est.)

other: 43.8% (2018 est.)

Legal system

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblée de la Polynésie française (57 seats; elections held in 2 rounds; in the second round, 38 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by a closed-list proportional representation vote; the party receiving the most votes gets an additional 19 seats; members serve 5-year terms; French Polynesia indirectly elects 2 senators to the French Senate via an electoral college by absolute majority vote for 6-year terms with one-half the membership renewed every 3 years and directly elects 3 deputies to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for 5-year terms

elections:
Assembly of French Polynesia - last held on 16 and 30 April 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
French Senate - last held on 24 September 2023 (next to be held on 30 September 2026)
French National Assembly - last held in 2 rounds on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held in 2027)

election results: Assembly of French Polynesia - percent of vote by party - People's Servant Party 66.7%; List of the People 26.3%, I Love Polynesia 5.3%, Rally of Mahoi People 1.8%; seats by party - People's Servant People 38; List of the People 15, I Love Polynesia 3, Rally of the Mahoi People 1, composition - men 29, women 28, percentage women 49.1%

French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Popular Rally 1, People's Servant Party 1; composition - NA

French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Servant Party 3; composition - NA

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WMO

National holiday

Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)

Nationality

noun: French Polynesian(s)

adjective: French Polynesian

Natural resources

timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Geography - note

includes five archipelagoes: four volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); the Tuamotu Archipelago forms the largest group of atolls in the world - 78 in total, 48 inhabited; Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru

Economic overview

small, territorial-island tourism-based economy; large French financing; lower EU import duties; Pacific Islands Forum member; fairly resilient from COVID-19; oil-dependent infrastructure

Political parties and leaders

I Love Polynesia (A here la Porinetia) [Nicole SANQUER]
List of the People (Tapura Huiraatira) [Edouard FRITCH]
People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]
Rally of the Maohi People (Amuitahiraʻa o te Nunaʻa Maohi)  [Gaston FLOSSE] (formerly known as Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira))

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Papeete

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: French Polynesia has one of the most advanced telecoms infrastructures in the Pacific Islands region; the remoteness of the territory with its scattering of 130 islands and atolls has made connectivity vital for its inhabitants; the first submarine cable was deployed in 2010 and since then additional cables have been connected to the islands, vastly improving French Polynesia’s international connectivity; an additional domestic submarine cable, the Natitua Sud, will connect more remote islands by the end of 2022; French Polynesia is also a hub for satellite communications in the region; a considerable number of consumers access FttP-based services; with the first data center in French Polynesia on the cards, the quality and price of broadband services is expected to improve as content will be able to be cached locally, reducing costs for consumers; for 2022, fixed broadband subscriptions reached an estimated 22%; about 43% of the territory’s mobile connections are on 3G networks, while LTE accounts for 12%; by 2025, LTE is expected to account for more than half of all connections; it is also estimated that 77% of mobile subscribers will have smart phones by 2025 (2022)

domestic: fixed-line subscriptions nearly 36 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular density is roughly 106 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 689; landing points for the NATITUA, Manatua, and Honotua submarine cables to other French Polynesian Islands, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France; France maintains forces (about 900 troops) in French Polynesia

Government - note

under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister

Country name

conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

conventional short form: French Polynesia

local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form: Polynesie Francaise

former: Establishments in Oceania, French Establishments in Oceania

etymology: the term "Polynesia" is an 18th-century construct composed of two Greek words, "poly" (many) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to the more than 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean

Location

Oceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between South America and Australia

Map references

Oceania

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas lands of France)

Internet country code

.pf

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.815 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Urbanization

urban population: 62.3% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

French public overseas broadcaster Reseau Outre-Mer provides 2 TV channels and 1 radio station; 1 government-owned TV station; a small number of privately owned radio stations (2019)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)

lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (the compositional group created both the lyrics and music)

note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

Major urban areas - population

136,000 PAPEETE (capital) (2018)

Physicians density

NA

National symbol(s)

outrigger canoe, Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia taitensis) flower; national colors: red, white

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 66.9% (2014 est.)

government consumption: 33.6% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2014 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2014 est.)

exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2014 est.)

imports of goods and services: -37.5% (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 45.6

youth dependency ratio: 31.6

elderly dependency ratio: 14

potential support ratio: 7.1 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

see France

Population distribution

the majority of the population lives in the Society Islands, one of five archipelagos that includes the most populous island - Tahiti - with approximately 70% of the nation's population

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) (registered in France)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 19 (registered in France)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

F-OH

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 97% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 3% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

Religions

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Languages

French (official) 73.5%, Tahitian 20.1%, Marquesan 2.6%, Austral languages 1.2%, Paumotu 1%, other 1.6% (2017 est.)

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
French audio file

Imports - partners

France 43%, New Zealand 12%, China 8%, United States 6%, Singapore 5% (2021)

Disputes - international

none identified

Elevation

highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

NA

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 147,000 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 57,330 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39% (2013 est.)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.77 megatons (2016 est.)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the France entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: Taputapuātea

Coal

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 66.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 6.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 27.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Natural gas

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 6,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.88 (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

27.2% (2023 est.)

Remittances

10% of GDP (2022 est.)
9.46% of GDP (2021 est.)
10.04% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Labor force

136,000 (2022 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 38.9% (2021 est.)

male: 35.4%

female: 43.9%

Net migration rate

-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 34.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 34.6 years

female: 35.1 years

Debt - external

NA

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,785 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.8% (2022 est.)
12.36% (2021 est.)
12.83% (2020 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

301,488 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.2% (of GDP) (2012)

Internet users

total: 218,100 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 72.7% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

1.03 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.03 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls; 67 are inhabited)

land: 3,827 sq km

water: 340 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

39.4% (of GDP) (2012)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.65 billion (2021 est.)
$5.52 billion (2020 est.)
$5.94 billion (2019 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars

Roadways

total: 2,590 km

paved: 1,735 km

unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Airports

54 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 322,918 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0% (2015 est.)
0.3% (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Current account balance

$411.963 million (2016 est.)
$291.182 million (2015 est.)
$264.32 million (2014 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$18,600 (2021 est.)
$18,300 (2020 est.)
$19,800 (2019 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 64,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

13.2 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 272,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 639.7 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 41 million kWh (2019 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 24 (2023)

by type: general cargo 14

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Imports

$1.66 billion (2021 est.)
$1.75 billion (2020 est.)
$2.24 billion (2019 est.)

Exports

$162 million (2021 est.)
$94.4 million (2020 est.)
$184 million (2019 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 138,658 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.7 years (2023 est.)

male: 76.4 years

female: 81.1 years

Real GDP growth rate

4.47% (2022 est.)
2.09% (2021 est.)
-7.05% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.5% (2009)

industry: 13% (2009)

services: 84.5% (2009)

Education expenditures

NA

Population growth rate

0.7% (2023 est.)

Background

French Polynesia consists of five archipelagos -- the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago. The Marquesas were first settled around 200 B.C. and the Society Islands around A.D. 300. Raiatea in the Society Islands became a center for religion and culture. Exploration of the other islands emanated from Raiatea, and by 1000, there were small permanent settlements in all the island groups. Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see the islands of French Polynesia in 1520. In 1767, British explorer Samuel WALLIS was the first European to visit Tahiti, followed by French navigator Louis Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1768 and British explorer James COOK in 1769. King POMARE I united Tahiti and surrounding islands into the Kingdom of Tahiti in 1788. Protestant missionaries arrived in 1797, and POMARE I’s successor converted in the 1810s, along with most Tahitians. In the 1830s, Queen POMARE IV refused to allow French Catholic missionaries to operate, leading France to declare a protectorate over Tahiti and fight the French-Tahitian War of the 1840s in an attempt to annex the islands. 

In 1880, King POMARE V ceded Tahiti and its possessions to France, changing its status into a colony. France then claimed the Gambier Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago and by 1901 had incorporated all five island groups into its establishments in Oceania. A Tahitian nationalist movement formed in 1940, leading France to grant French citizenship to the islanders in 1946 and change it to an overseas territory. In 1957, the islands’ name was changed to French Polynesia, and the following year, 64% of voters chose to stay part of France when they approved a new constitution. Uninhabited Mururoa Atoll was established as a French nuclear test site in 1962, and tests were conducted between 1966 and 1992 (underground beginning in 1975). France also conducted tests at Fangataufa Atoll, including its last nuclear test in 1996.

France granted French Polynesia partial internal autonomy in 1977 and expanded autonomy in 1984. French Polynesia was converted into an overseas collectivity in 2003 and renamed an overseas territory in 2004. Pro-independence politicians won a surprise majority in local elections that same year, but in subsequent elections, they have been relegated to a vocal minority. In 2013, French Polynesia was relisted on the UN List of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Sources: