CapitalPapeete (located on Tahiti)
Population305,507
Area4,167 km²
GDP per capita$23,300
LanguagesFrench, Tahitian, Marquesan, Austral languages, Paumotu, other
CurrencyComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs
Life Expectancy78.9 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
land
3,827 sq km
water
340 sq km
total
4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls; 67 are inhabited)
Climate
tropical yet temperate
Terrain
combination of steep high islands and low-lying islands featuring reefs
Land use
other
48.3% (2023 est.)
forest
43.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.5% (2023 est.)
Location
Oceania, comprising five archipelagos (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) located in the South Pacific Ocean, roughly equidistant between South America and Australia
Coastline
2,525 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mont Orohena 2,241 m
Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
Map references
Oceania
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
intermittent cyclonic storms occur in January
Geography - note
comprises five archipelagos: four are volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one is coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); the Tuamotu Archipelago constitutes the largest collection of atolls globally — totaling 78, with 48 being inhabited; Makatea within the Tuamotu Archipelago is one of the three major phosphate rock islands in the Pacific — the others being Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
Natural resources
timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower
Area - comparative
just under one-third the area of Connecticut
Geographic coordinates
15 00 S, 140 00 W
Population distribution
a significant portion of the population resides in the Society Islands, which is one of the five archipelagos, including the most populated island, Tahiti, home to about 70% of the country's population
People & Society
Languages
Languages
French (official) 73.5%, Tahitian 20.1%, Marquesan 2.6%, Austral languages 1.2%, Paumotu 1%, other 1.6% (2017 estimate)
major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%
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
total population
1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.95 male(s)/female
Birth rate
12.7 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
35 years
total
35.8 years (2025 est.)
female
35.6 years
Population
male
156,084
total
305,507 (2025 est.)
female
149,423
Nationality
noun
French Polynesian(s)
adjective
French Polynesian
Urbanization
urban population
62.3% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
20.3% (male 31,659/female 30,006)
15-64 years
68.7% (male 107,162/female 101,228)
65 years and over
11% (2024 est.) (male 16,317/female 17,168)
Ethnic groups
Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
46 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
29.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
16.8 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Net migration rate
-0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.78 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.63% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.87 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population resides in the Society Islands, which is one of five archipelagos and includes Tahiti, the most populous island, accounting for roughly 70% of the country's population
Life expectancy at birth
male
76.6 years
female
81.3 years
total population
78.9 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 97% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 3% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
136,000 PAPEETE (capital) (2018)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.8% (2017 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical yet temperate
Land use
other
48.3% (2023 est.)
forest
43.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
62.3% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
147,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
increase in sea levels; cyclones, storms, and tsunamis resulting in flooding, landslides, erosion, and damage to reefs; periods of drought; scarcity of fresh water
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
1.01 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
1.01 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: consists of two horizontal red stripes surrounding a broad white stripe in a 1:2:1 ratio; in the center of the white stripe lies a disk displaying a blue-and-white wave pattern representing the sea in the lower section and a gold-and-white ray pattern symbolizing the sun in the upper section; a stylized red Polynesian canoe depicted on the disk carries a crew of five, illustrated by five stars
meaning: the stars represent the five island groups; red and white are colors traditionally associated with Polynesia
Capital
name
Papeete (located on Tahiti)
etymology
the term originates from the Tahitian words pape (water) and ete (basket), implying a location where individuals gathered water
time difference
UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 32 S, 149 34 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see France
Constitution
history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendment process
French constitution amendment procedures apply
Country name
former
Establishments in Oceania, French Establishments in Oceania
etymology
the designation "Polynesia" is an 18th-century term derived from two Greek words, poly (many) and nesoi (islands), referring to the over 1,000 islands distributed across the central and southern Pacific Ocean
local long form
Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynésie française
local short form
Polynésie Française
conventional long form
Overseas Lands of French Polynesia
conventional short form
French Polynesia
Independence
none (overseas land of France)
Legal system
the laws of France are applicable
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA)
subordinate courts
Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Première Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
judge selection and term of office
judges assigned from France for 3 years
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers approved by the Assembly from a list of its members submitted by the president
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Alexander ROCHATTE (since 1 September 2025)
head of government
President of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023)
election/appointment process
the French president is elected directly by absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a 5-year term (eligible for re-election); the high commissioner is appointed by the French president based on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the president of French Polynesia is indirectly elected by the Assembly of French Polynesia for a 5-year term (with no term limits)
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
Dependency status
overseas country of France
Government - note
French Polynesia has obtained autonomy from France in all matters except for police, monetary policy, higher education, immigration, as well as defense and foreign relations; the responsibilities of its president are akin to those of the French prime minister
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (1 cultural, 1 mixed); note - excerpted from the France entry
selected World Heritage Site locales
Taputapuātea (c); Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands (m)
Political parties
I Love Polynesia (A here la Porinetia)
List of the People (Tapura Huiraatira)
People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira)
Rally of the Maohi People (Amuitahiraʻa o te Nunaʻa Maohi) (formerly known as Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira))
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
57 (directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Assembly of French Polynesia (Assemblée de la Polynésie française)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/30/2023
expected date of next election
2028
percentage of women in chamber
49.1%
parties elected and seats per party
People's Servant People (38); List of the People (15); I Love Polynesia (3); Rally of the Mahoi People (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
history
official anthem, as a French territory
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National symbol(s)
outrigger canoe, Tahitian gardenia flower (Gardenia taitensis)
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas lands of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas lands of France)
International organization participation
ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WMO
Economy
Exports
Exports 2019
$184 million (2019 est.)
Exports 2020
$94.4 million (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$162 million (2021 est.)
Imports
Imports 2019
$2.24 billion (2019 est.)
Imports 2020
$1.75 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$1.66 billion (2021 est.)
Industries
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Labor force
119,100 (2024 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
9.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
10% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
9.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
104.711 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
100.88 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
113.474 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
110.347 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
110.306 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a small economy reliant on tourism from territorial islands; substantial French financial support; reduced EU import tariffs; member of the Pacific Islands Forum; relatively resilient in the face of COVID-19; infrastructure reliant on oil
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
11.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
11.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
11.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Japan 44%, USA 15%, France 12%, Netherlands 9%, China 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
France 26%, China 11%, USA 10%, NZ 7%, Malaysia 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$20,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$22,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$23,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2021
2.1% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, fruits, cassava, sugarcane, pineapples, eggs, tropical fruits, watermelons, tomatoes, pork (2023)
Exports - commodities
pearls, fish, aircraft parts, gas turbines, vanilla (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, packaged medicine, refined petroleum, poultry, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2014
$264.32 million (2014 est.)
Current account balance 2015
$291.182 million (2015 est.)
Current account balance 2016
$411.963 million (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$6.563 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
70.4% (2023 est.)
government consumption
30.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
21.7% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
23.1% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-45.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
-0.1% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
0.5% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$5.892 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$5.935 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$6.007 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
33.5% (2024 est.)
total
36.9% (2024 est.)
female
41.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
10.6% (2020 est.)
services
75.9% (2020 est.)
agriculture
2.2% (2020 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
669.5 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
345,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
42.663 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
66% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
27% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
73% (2017 est.)
Broadcast media
The French public overseas broadcasting entity Réseau Outre-Mer operates 2 television channels and 1 radio station, in addition to 1 television station that is owned by the government, along with a limited quantity of privately owned radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.pf
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
66,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
24 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
334,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
119 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
78,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
28 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Atuona, Baie Taiohae, Papeete, Port Rikitea, Uturoa, Vaitape
very small
5
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
54 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
24 (2023)
by type
general cargo 14
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
F-OH
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with France, which has stationed a military garrison in French Polynesia known as the Forces Armées en Polynésie Française (FAPF).
Military and security forces
there are no standing military forces.
