People and Society of French Polynesia

Nationality

French Polynesian(s)

Ethnic Groups

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

Population

306,279

Population in Major Urban Areas

PAPEETE (capital) 137,000

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.

Literacy Definition

Age 14 and over can read and write

• Protestant54.0%
• Roman Catholic30.0%
• other10.0%
• no religion6.0%

French (official), Tahitian (official)

• Tahitian