Wallis and Futuna

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. 1616

   Islands sighted by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jakob le Maire.

   Islands sighted by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jakob le Maire. Islands named Hoorn Islands.

2. 1767

   Wallis visited by, named after British navgator Samuel Wallis.

   Wallis visited by, named after British navgator Samuel Wallis.

3. 1887

   France declared protectorate over Wallis.

   France declared protectorate over Wallis.

4. 1888

   Wallis and Futuna were placed administratively under New Caledonia

   Wallis and Futuna were placed administratively under New Caledonia

5. 1888

   France declared protectorate over Futuna.

   France declared protectorate over Futuna.

6. 1917

   Wallis and Futuna administratively placed under New Caledonia.

   Wallis and Futuna administratively placed under New Caledonia.

7. 1924

   Islands granted status as a colony, still administratively under New Caledonia.

   Islands granted status as a colony, still administratively under New Caledonia.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• French

Population

Population

11,369

Population in Major Urban Areas

MATA-UTU (capital) 1,000

Nationality Noun

Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders

Ethnic Groups

Polynesian

Education

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Wallis and Futuna sits at approximately 80 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years — a pattern consistent with broader global trends. Estimates place female life expectancy at around 83 years and male life expectancy at roughly 77 years, reflecting a meaningful gap between the sexes. These figures are notably high for a small Pacific island territory, and they reflect a combination of factors including the territory's status as a French collectivity, which provides residents with access to French-funded healthcare infrastructure and medical services. The territory receives subsidized healthcare support from metropolitan France, which helps offset the challenges that typically accompany geographic isolation in remote island communities. Despite its small population of fewer than 12,000 people, Wallis and Futuna maintains a network of basic health facilities, including a main hospital located on Wallis Island (Uvea). Residents requiring more advanced or specialized medical care are generally evacuated to New Caledonia or metropolitan France, which helps ensure that serious health conditions can be treated beyond the limited local capacity. The population of Wallis and Futuna is aging, with a growing proportion of elderly residents — a demographic shift that is increasingly placing pressure on health and social services. Emigration of younger working-age adults to New Caledonia and France has contributed to this trend, leaving behind an older average population on the islands. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, are among the primary health concerns affecting the population and influencing mortality outcomes. Lifestyle factors, dietary changes, and limited opportunities for specialized preventive care all play a role in shaping long-term health outcomes on the islands. Compared to many other Pacific island nations, where life expectancy can fall between 65 and 75 years, Wallis and Futuna's figures reflect the advantages afforded by close administrative and financial ties to France, even as geographic remoteness continues to present real challenges for consistent healthcare delivery.

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality in Wallis and Futuna remains relatively low compared to many Pacific island territories, though the remote location and limited healthcare infrastructure present ongoing challenges. The infant mortality rate for Wallis and Futuna is estimated at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that reflects the territory's status as a French collectivity with access to French-funded healthcare services. The territory benefits from a public health system supported by the French government, which funds medical facilities and personnel on the islands. The main hospital, the Sia Hospital in Mata-Utu on Wallis Island, provides essential maternal and neonatal care. For more complex medical cases, patients — including newborns requiring specialized treatment — are often evacuated to New Caledonia or metropolitan France, a logistical necessity given the islands' geographic isolation in the South Pacific. Historically, the infant mortality rate in Wallis and Futuna was higher, but improvements in prenatal care, access to trained midwives, vaccinations, and sanitation have contributed to significant reductions over the decades. The French public health administration oversees immunization programs that align with national French standards, helping to protect newborns from preventable diseases. Despite these gains, the territory faces persistent challenges. The small population — estimated at fewer than 12,000 people — means that health services must cover a geographically dispersed community across two island groups separated by roughly 230 kilometers. Staffing shortages and the limited availability of specialist care can affect health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. The infant mortality rate in Wallis and Futuna compares favorably to regional neighbors in Oceania, and the territory's close administrative ties to France are widely credited with sustaining the health investments that keep this rate low. Continued monitoring and investment in maternal and child health services remain priorities for maintaining and improving upon these outcomes in the years ahead.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Wallis and Futuna sits at approximately 80 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years — a pattern consistent with broader global trends. Estimates place female life expectancy at around 83 years and male life expectancy at roughly 77 years, reflecting a meaningful gap between the sexes. These figures are notably high for a small Pacific island territory, and they reflect a combination of factors including the territory's status as a French collectivity, which provides residents with access to French-funded healthcare infrastructure and medical services. The territory receives subsidized healthcare support from metropolitan France, which helps offset the challenges that typically accompany geographic isolation in remote island communities. Despite its small population of fewer than 12,000 people, Wallis and Futuna maintains a network of basic health facilities, including a main hospital located on Wallis Island (Uvea). Residents requiring more advanced or specialized medical care are generally evacuated to New Caledonia or metropolitan France, which helps ensure that serious health conditions can be treated beyond the limited local capacity. The population of Wallis and Futuna is aging, with a growing proportion of elderly residents — a demographic shift that is increasingly placing pressure on health and social services. Emigration of younger working-age adults to New Caledonia and France has contributed to this trend, leaving behind an older average population on the islands. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, are among the primary health concerns affecting the population and influencing mortality outcomes. Lifestyle factors, dietary changes, and limited opportunities for specialized preventive care all play a role in shaping long-term health outcomes on the islands. Compared to many other Pacific island nations, where life expectancy can fall between 65 and 75 years, Wallis and Futuna's figures reflect the advantages afforded by close administrative and financial ties to France, even as geographic remoteness continues to present real challenges for consistent healthcare delivery.

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality in Wallis and Futuna remains relatively low compared to many Pacific island territories, though the remote location and limited healthcare infrastructure present ongoing challenges. The infant mortality rate for Wallis and Futuna is estimated at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that reflects the territory's status as a French collectivity with access to French-funded healthcare services. The territory benefits from a public health system supported by the French government, which funds medical facilities and personnel on the islands. The main hospital, the Sia Hospital in Mata-Utu on Wallis Island, provides essential maternal and neonatal care. For more complex medical cases, patients — including newborns requiring specialized treatment — are often evacuated to New Caledonia or metropolitan France, a logistical necessity given the islands' geographic isolation in the South Pacific. Historically, the infant mortality rate in Wallis and Futuna was higher, but improvements in prenatal care, access to trained midwives, vaccinations, and sanitation have contributed to significant reductions over the decades. The French public health administration oversees immunization programs that align with national French standards, helping to protect newborns from preventable diseases. Despite these gains, the territory faces persistent challenges. The small population — estimated at fewer than 12,000 people — means that health services must cover a geographically dispersed community across two island groups separated by roughly 230 kilometers. Staffing shortages and the limited availability of specialist care can affect health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. The infant mortality rate in Wallis and Futuna compares favorably to regional neighbors in Oceania, and the territory's close administrative ties to France are widely credited with sustaining the health investments that keep this rate low. Continued monitoring and investment in maternal and child health services remain priorities for maintaining and improving upon these outcomes in the years ahead.

Country Identity

Country Name

WallisandFutuna

Full Country Name

Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

Local - Long

Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

Local - Short

Wallis et Futuna

Government Structure

Government Type

NA

Legal System

French legal system

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON of France (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Blaise GOURTAY (since 2022) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since March 2022) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings — the kings of Uvea, Sigave, and Alo — who hold customary authority with limited formal powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the prefect (high administrator) is appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblée Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Elections: last held on 22 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - various local lists and affiliates aligned with national parties Note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly. French Senate - elections last held in September 2023; results - seats held by 1 senator representing the territory. French National Assembly - elections last held in June 2022; results - 1 deputy representing the territory. The territory's representatives in Paris advocate on behalf of Wallis and Futuna's interests within the broader French legislative framework, reflecting its status as a French overseas collectivity.

Judicial Branch

none; justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

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

Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

Capital - geographic coordinate

13 57 S, 171 56 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

CFP Franc (XPF)