French Polynesia

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Bastille Day

  7/14

  Other

Dates of Interest

• July 14th

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1521

   Magellan sights the Pukapuka Atoll in the Tuamotus.

   Magellan sights the Pukapuka Atoll in the Tuamotus .

2. 1722

   Dutch explorer Roggeveen sights Bora Bora.

   Dutch explorer Roggeveen sights Bora Bora .

3. 1767

   English explorer Samuel Wallis lands on Tahiti.

   English explorer Samuel Wallis lands on Tahiti .

4. 1827

   The 50-year reign of Queen Pomare IV begins.

   The 50-year reign of Queen Pomare IV begins.

5. 1842

   France declares Tahiti and the Marquesas as a protectorate.

   France declares Tahiti and the Marquesas as a protectorate.

6. 1843

   The capitol city of Papeete is founded.

   The capitol city of Papeete is founded.

7. 1844 – 1847

   Tahitian War of Independence.

   Tahitian War of Independence.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Tahitian

Population

Population

306,279

Population in Major Urban Areas

PAPEETE (capital) 137,000

Nationality Noun

French Polynesian(s)

Ethnic Groups

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

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 14 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in French Polynesia stands at approximately 77 to 78 years overall, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy hovers around 80 to 81 years, while male life expectancy is generally a few years lower, ranging near 74 to 76 years. These figures place French Polynesia well above the global average and broadly in line with many developed nations, reflecting the territory's relatively high standard of living as an overseas collectivity of France. Several factors contribute to these favorable outcomes. French Polynesia benefits from access to French-funded public healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals on the main island of Tahiti and smaller medical centers distributed across the archipelagos. Residents have access to subsidized healthcare under the territory's social protection system, which helps reduce barriers to medical treatment for both preventive care and chronic disease management. At the same time, the territory faces health challenges that temper its longevity profile. Non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are significant public health concerns. Dietary transitions away from traditional Pacific foods toward processed and imported foods have contributed to rising rates of metabolic conditions, particularly among younger and middle-aged populations. Geographic isolation across the 118 islands also creates disparities in healthcare access, with residents of remote atolls in the Tuamotu or Marquesas archipelagos often having limited access to specialist care compared to those living in Papeete. Life expectancy in French Polynesia has improved steadily over recent decades, consistent with broader regional and global trends driven by advances in maternal care, infectious disease control, and general improvements in nutrition and sanitation. However, sustaining and improving these gains will likely depend on how effectively the territory addresses the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases and maintains equitable healthcare access across its widely dispersed island communities.

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality rate is an important indicator of a territory's overall health infrastructure, access to medical care, and standard of living. French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France located in the South Pacific Ocean, has achieved notably low infant mortality rates compared to many other Pacific island nations, largely due to its close administrative and financial ties with France. As of recent estimates, French Polynesia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure places the territory well below the global average and reflects the relatively advanced healthcare system available to residents across the islands. For context, the global average infant mortality rate hovers around 27 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, making French Polynesia's performance considerably better than the worldwide benchmark. The territory benefits from French government subsidies and a healthcare framework modeled on the French metropolitan system. Residents have access to modern hospital facilities, maternal and child health programs, and trained medical professionals. The main island of Tahiti, home to the capital Papeete, hosts the most advanced medical facilities, including the Centre Hospitalier de Polynésie Française, which serves as the primary referral hospital for the entire territory. Despite these achievements, disparities exist between the more urbanized islands near Tahiti and the remote outer islands of the Tuamotu, Marquesas, and Austral archipelagos. Residents of distant atolls and islands may face challenges in accessing timely medical care, particularly for neonatal emergencies that require specialized intervention. Medical evacuation services help bridge some of these gaps, but geographic isolation remains a practical challenge. Improvements in infant mortality over recent decades have been driven by higher rates of prenatal care, increased access to vaccinations, better nutrition support programs, and improved sanitation infrastructure. UNICEF and World Health Organization data consistently reflect a downward trend in infant deaths across the territory over the past several decades, signaling sustained progress in child health outcomes. Continued investment in healthcare access across all island groups remains essential to maintaining and improving upon these gains.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in French Polynesia stands at approximately 77 to 78 years overall, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy hovers around 80 to 81 years, while male life expectancy is generally a few years lower, ranging near 74 to 76 years. These figures place French Polynesia well above the global average and broadly in line with many developed nations, reflecting the territory's relatively high standard of living as an overseas collectivity of France. Several factors contribute to these favorable outcomes. French Polynesia benefits from access to French-funded public healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals on the main island of Tahiti and smaller medical centers distributed across the archipelagos. Residents have access to subsidized healthcare under the territory's social protection system, which helps reduce barriers to medical treatment for both preventive care and chronic disease management. At the same time, the territory faces health challenges that temper its longevity profile. Non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are significant public health concerns. Dietary transitions away from traditional Pacific foods toward processed and imported foods have contributed to rising rates of metabolic conditions, particularly among younger and middle-aged populations. Geographic isolation across the 118 islands also creates disparities in healthcare access, with residents of remote atolls in the Tuamotu or Marquesas archipelagos often having limited access to specialist care compared to those living in Papeete. Life expectancy in French Polynesia has improved steadily over recent decades, consistent with broader regional and global trends driven by advances in maternal care, infectious disease control, and general improvements in nutrition and sanitation. However, sustaining and improving these gains will likely depend on how effectively the territory addresses the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases and maintains equitable healthcare access across its widely dispersed island communities.

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality rate is an important indicator of a territory's overall health infrastructure, access to medical care, and standard of living. French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France located in the South Pacific Ocean, has achieved notably low infant mortality rates compared to many other Pacific island nations, largely due to its close administrative and financial ties with France. As of recent estimates, French Polynesia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure places the territory well below the global average and reflects the relatively advanced healthcare system available to residents across the islands. For context, the global average infant mortality rate hovers around 27 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, making French Polynesia's performance considerably better than the worldwide benchmark. The territory benefits from French government subsidies and a healthcare framework modeled on the French metropolitan system. Residents have access to modern hospital facilities, maternal and child health programs, and trained medical professionals. The main island of Tahiti, home to the capital Papeete, hosts the most advanced medical facilities, including the Centre Hospitalier de Polynésie Française, which serves as the primary referral hospital for the entire territory. Despite these achievements, disparities exist between the more urbanized islands near Tahiti and the remote outer islands of the Tuamotu, Marquesas, and Austral archipelagos. Residents of distant atolls and islands may face challenges in accessing timely medical care, particularly for neonatal emergencies that require specialized intervention. Medical evacuation services help bridge some of these gaps, but geographic isolation remains a practical challenge. Improvements in infant mortality over recent decades have been driven by higher rates of prenatal care, increased access to vaccinations, better nutrition support programs, and improved sanitation infrastructure. UNICEF and World Health Organization data consistently reflect a downward trend in infant deaths across the territory over the past several decades, signaling sustained progress in child health outcomes. Continued investment in healthcare access across all island groups remains essential to maintaining and improving upon these gains.

Country Identity

Country Name

FrenchPolynesia

Full Country Name

Territory of French Polynesia

Local - Long

Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise

Local - Short

Polynesie Francaise

Former Name

French Colony of Oceania

Government Structure

Government Type

NA

Legal System

based on French system

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON of France (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Eric SPITZ (since July 2021) head of government: President of the Government of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023); President of the Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since May 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers; the president of French Polynesia submits a list of members drawn from the Territorial Assembly for approval by the assembly to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Government of French Polynesia and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblée de la Polynésie française (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote using a proportional representation system to serve five-year terms). Elections: Last held on 22 April and 6 May 2018 (next scheduled to be held in 2023). Note: French Polynesia held elections in April–May 2023, with results confirming a shift in the political landscape under the leadership of Moetai Brotherson and the Tavini Huiraatira (pro-independence) party, which won a majority of seats. Election results: In the April–May 2023 elections, Tavini Huiraatira won a decisive majority, securing approximately 38 seats. The Tapura Huiraatira party, which had previously held a majority under Edouard Fritch, was reduced to the opposition. This outcome marked a significant political transition, with Moetai Brotherson becoming President of French Polynesia. Note: French Polynesia elects representatives to the French Parliament in Paris. The territory sends two senators to the French Senate and three deputies to the French National Assembly. The most recent elections to the National Assembly were held in June 2022. French Polynesia also holds the status of an overseas collectivity of France, granting it a degree of internal autonomy while remaining subject to French constitutional law.

Judicial Branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Independence

none (overseas territory of France)

National Holiday

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Capital City

Capital Name

Papeete (located on Tahiti)

Capital - geographic coordinate

17 32 S, 149 34 W

Capital Time Difference

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

Military

Branches: No regular military forces

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

CFP Franc (XPF)

GDP Real Growth Rate

1%