Overseas collectivity of France
Overseas collectivity of the French Republic under Article 74 of the Constitution. Its own statute, set by organic law, defines the powers exercised locally and the application of French law.
Listed by the United Nations as a Non-Self-Governing Territory.
National Identity
- Official name
- French Polynesia
- Official name (in French)
- Polynésie Française
- Official name (in Tahitian)
- Pōrīnetia Farāni
- Name 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
Sources:- Organic Law No. 2004-192 of 27 February 2004 on the Statute of Autonomy of French Polynesia ↗ - Légifrance - The public service for the diffusion of law
- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- National emblem
- National flag
- National anthem
- La MarseillaiseThe national anthem of France.1:19
- Title (in French)
- La Marseillaise
- Title (in English, translated)
- The Song of Marseille
- Lyrics
1Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L’étendard sanglant est levé! L’étendard sanglant est levé! Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger nos fils et nos compagnes!
ChorusAux armes, citoyens! Formez vos bataillons! Marchons! marchons! Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons!
2Que veut cette horde d’esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés? Ces fers dès longtemps préparés? Français, pour nous, ah! quel outrage! Quels transports il doit exciter! C’est nous qu’on ose méditer De rendre à l’antique esclavage!
Aux armes, citoyens!3Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers! Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers! Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient! De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées!
Aux armes, citoyens!4Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides, L’opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix! Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix! Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S’ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La terre en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre!
Aux armes, citoyens!5Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups! Epargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s’armant contre nous. A regret s’armant contre nous. Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère!
Aux armes, citoyens!6Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs! Combats avec tes défenseurs! Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !
Aux armes, citoyens!7Nous entrerons dans la carrière Quand nos aînés n’y seront plus; Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. Et la trace de leurs vertus. Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre !
Aux armes, citoyens!Source: - Citizens
- French Polynesians
- Official name:Organic Law No. 2004-192 of 27 February 2004 on the Statute of Autonomy of French Polynesia ↗ - Légifrance - The public service for the diffusion of law
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- 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
- Total area
- 4,167 km²
- Land area
- 3,827 km²
- Water area
- 340 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 2,525 km
- Terrain
Mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs - Highest point
- 2,241 mMont Orohena
- Lowest point
- 0 mPacific Ocean
- Climate
Tropical, but moderate - Avg. temperature
- 25.7 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 25 to 26.3 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,438 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 26.9 26.2 25.4 188 February 27.1 26.4 25.5 176 March 27.3 26.7 25.8 155 April 27.2 26.6 25.9 125 May 26.8 26.2 25.5 100 June 26.1 25.6 24.9 85 July 25.6 25 24.4 66 August 25.3 24.7 24.2 58 September 25.3 24.7 24.2 69 October 25.6 25 24.4 97 November 26.2 25.5 24.9 123 December 26.6 25.9 25.2 196 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable0.7%Perm. crops7.5%Pasture0.5%Forest43.1%Other48.3%
- Arable land
- 2,500 hectares (0.7%)
- Permanent crops
- 26,000 hectares (7.5%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 1,565 hectares (0.5%)
- Forest
- 149,460 hectares (43.1%)
- Other land
- 167,575 hectares (48.3%)
Source:
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.22% per year+611 people/yearWorld Rank160thof 237
- Birth rate
- 10.3 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 4.1 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −4.1 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 36.7 yearsWorld Rank96thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years17.8%15-64 years69.6%65 years +12.6%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 12.6%
- Share aged under 18
- 22.5%
- Total dependency ratio
- 44
- Youth dependency ratio
- 26
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 18
- Sex ratio
- 1.02 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.1% 1.4% 70-79 2.8% 2.8% 60-69 5.3% 5.1% 50-59 6.8% 6.6% 40-49 7.2% 7.3% 30-39 7.1% 7.1% 20-29 7.1% 6.8% 10-19 7.5% 7.1% 0-9 5.6% 5.3% - 2026
- 0.63 below the replacement level for French Polynesia ()1.47 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank178thof 237
- 0.71 daughters per woman0.29 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +6.2 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 6.2 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −4.1 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 61.8% live in cities174,980 urban residents
- Largest places2022
- Faaa, Punaauia, Papeete, MahinaRankPlacePopulation (2022 census)1Faaa29,8262Punaauia28,7813Papeete26,6544Mahina14,6235Pirae14,0686Paea12,7567Papara11,7438Arue10,3229Afaahiti6,82910Nunue5,541Source:
- Statistics Institute of French Polynesia (2022 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- 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.
- Ethnic groups
- Polynesian78.0%Chinese12.0%Local French6.0%Metropolitan French4.0%
- Religions
- Protestant54.0%Roman Catholic30.0%Other10.0%None6.0%
- Languages
- French (Français), Tahitian (Reo Tahiti)
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Statistics Institute of French Polynesia (2022 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicShared with France: the President of the French Republic is head of state.An overseas country within the Republic and an overseas collectivity whose autonomy is governed by Article 74 of the Constitution; a High Commissioner represents the State and holds the powers of the Republic (Organic Law, Arts. 1, 3).
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe Assembly of French Polynesia elects the President of French Polynesia from its members, who appoints the ministers; a three-fifths no-confidence motion naming a successor removes the government, and only the President of the Republic can dissolve the Assembly (Arts. 64, 69, 73, 156, 157).Source:
- Official websites
- Government (in French)
- Parliament
- Capital
- Papeete26,654 people(2022)
- National holidays
- 14 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- ThuMar 5Missionary Day
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- FriMay 1Labor Day
- FriMay 8Victory Day
- ThuMay 14Ascension Day
- MonMay 25Pentecost Monday
- TueJul 14National Day
- SatAug 15Assumption Day
- SunNov 1All Saints' Day
- WedNov 11Armistice Day
- FriNov 20Matāri'i
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- TAHTTahiti TimeUTC−10
French Polynesia spans multiple time zones, the capital's is shown here. All 3 time zones
- Currency
- CFP Franc (XPF)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +689
- Internet TLD
- .pf
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- PF, PYF
- Infrastructure
- Aircraft registration prefix
- F-OH
Source:- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Flag carrier
- Air Tahiti NuiState-owned
- Form of state, System of government:Loi organique n° 2004-192 du 27 février 2004 portant statut d'autonomie de la Polynésie française, consolidated version, January 2026 ↗ - Assembly of French Polynesia
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- High income
- 2020
- Services75.9% of GDPIndustry10.6% of GDPAgriculture2.2% of GDPManufacturing4.7%part of industry
- Households
- +73.7%
- Government
- +32%
- Investment
- +21.9%
- Exports
- +18.3%
- Imports
- −46.1%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Labor force2024
- 120,370 (43% of population)World Rank179thof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 52.8% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 11.6%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 36.5% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $55.6 per hour worked at PPP
- Trade2016latest available
- Goods$177.9 million14.8%
- Services$1 billion85.2%
- Total exports
- $1.2 billion
- Change from 2015
- up 7.2 percent on the previous year7.2%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Coconuts (in shell), Pineapples, Hen eggs in shell (fresh), and 2 more
- 1Coconuts (in shell)129×
- 2Pineapples7.8×
- 3Hen eggs in shell (fresh)3×
- 4Cassava (fresh)1×
- 5Sugar cane0.2×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Cost of living index
- Loading
- Monthly costs (excluding rent)
- Loading
- Rent
- Loading
- Buying an apartment
- Loading
Society
- Internet users2016latest available
- 68.4% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 70.7%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2016latest available
- 280,111
- Fixed telephone lines
- 60,530
- Fixed broadband
- 19.9 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2022
- Official tourism site218,800 arrivalsdown 8% against 20198% below 2019World Rank116thof 139
- Per resident
- 7.8 arrivals per 10 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 42,600 arrivals
- Visitor spending in the country
- $782 million(2016, latest available)
- Share of GDP
- 8% tourism direct GDP
- Residents' trips abroad
- 12,000 overnight trips(2020, latest available)
- Residents' spending abroad
- $226 million(2016, latest available)
- Hotel beds
- 10,422(2021, latest available)
- Average hotel stay
- 17.7 nights(2021, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2022A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 2 sites1 cultural1 mixed
Site Type Taputapuātea Cultural Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands Mixed Source:- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Prison population2022
- 210.8 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 591
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 84.4 years
- Infant mortality2026
- 4.9 per 1,000 live births
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.97 Mt per yearup 4.9 percent on the previous year4.9% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 3.3 t per personWorld Rank94thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.07 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.03 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 1.08 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 1.3 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted225thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- sea-level rise
- cyclones, storms, and tsunamis producing floods, landslides, erosion, and reef damage
- droughts
- fresh water scarcity
Source:- The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: French Polynesia - CIA
Food & Water
- Obesity2024
- 49.2% of adults
- Men
- 47.4%
- Women
- 50.9%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 73.1 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 4.4% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0.7 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0.7 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0.7 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 8,874 b/d in 2024Consumption20248,874 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration