Page last updated on January 29, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were halted in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel Des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 00 S, 140 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)
country comparison to the world: 175
land: 3,827 sq km
water: 340 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,525 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical, but moderate
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.68%
permanent crops: 6.28%
other: 93.03% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
occasional cyclonic storms in January
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: French Polynesian(s)
adjective: French Polynesian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official) 61.1%, Polynesian (official) 31.4%, Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
277,293 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24.1% (male 34,376/female 32,457)
15-24 years: 17.1% (male 24,553/female 22,953)
25-54 years: 43.6% (male 62,080/female 58,903)
55-64 years: 8.2% (male 11,771/female 11,081)
65 years and over: 6.9% (male 9,299/female 9,820) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 42.4 %
youth dependency ratio: 32.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.2 %
potential support ratio: 9.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 30.2 years
male: 30.1 years
female: 30.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.7 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.85 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 51% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PAPEETE (capital) 133,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 181
male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.59 years
country comparison to the world: 75
male: 74.37 years
female: 78.93 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.97 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 14 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1977 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33.2%
country comparison to the world: 24
male: 29.3%
female: 39.1% (2002)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia
conventional short form: French Polynesia
local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise
local short form: Polynesie Francaise
former: French Colony of Oceania
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2003; overseas collectivity of France since 2003, though it is often referred to as an overseas country due to its degree of autonomy
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Papeete (located on Tahiti)
geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five second order administrative units named Iles Australes, Iles du Vent, Iles Marquises, Iles Sous le Vent, Iles Tuamotu et Gambier
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas lands of France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Lionel BEFFRE (since 16 September 2013)
head of government: President of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSS (since 17 May 2013); President of the Assembly of French Polynesia L. Edouard FRITCH (since 16 May 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 French Polynesia government and the president of the Assembly of French Polynesia elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits)
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblee de la Polynesia francaise (57 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 21 April 2013 (first round) and 5 May 2013 (second round) (next to be held in 2018)
election results: percent of vote by party - Popular Rally 45.1%, Union for Democracy alliance 29.3%, A Tia Porinetia 25.6%, other 15.8%; seats by party - Popular Rally 38, Union for Democracy alliance 11, A Tia Porinetia 8
note: two seats were elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1, independent 1; three seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 17 June 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 3
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA)
judge selection and term of office: NA
subordinate courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
A Tia Porinetia [Teva ROHFRITSCH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas lands of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas lands of France)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a Polynesian canoe rides on the wave pattern; the canoe has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors
note: similar to the red-white-red flag of Tahiti, the largest of the islands in French Polynesia, which has no emblem in the white band; the flag of France is used for official occasions
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
outrigger canoe
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)
lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN
note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Government - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are handicrafts, public works projects, aquaculture, pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.65 billion (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.65 billion (2006)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.4% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 186
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$22,000 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.1%
industry: 20%
services: 76.9% (2006)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
116,000 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 181
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.7% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 123
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.7% (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $865 million
expenditures: $644.1 million (1999)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.3% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 191
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% of GDP (1999)
country comparison to the world: 14
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 16
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$200 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.2 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
672 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
625 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
186,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
74.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 133
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,190 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 140
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.22 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 162
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
226,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 180
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts on 2 TV channels and 1 radio station; 1 government-owned TV station; a small number of privately owned radio stations (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.pf
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,949 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 103
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 153
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 88
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 45
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,590 km
country comparison to the world: 171
paved: 1,735 km
unpaved: 855 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
registered in other countries: 12 (Cambodia 1, France 11) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 105
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Papeete
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 82,722 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 67,363
females age 16-49: 66,053 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 2,498
female: 2,390 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of France