People and Society of Wallis and Futuna

Nationality

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

Ethnic Groups

Polynesian

Population

11,369

Population in Major Urban Areas

MATA-UTU (capital) 1,000

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.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Roman Catholic99.0%
• other1.0%

French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language)

• French