2014 Edition

Background

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.

Area

4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) 3,827 sq km 340 sq km

total

4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)

water

340 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

Climate

tropical, but moderate

Coastline

2,525 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Mont Orohena 2,241 m

highest point

Mont Orohena 2,241 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Geographic coordinates

15 00 S, 140 00 W

Geography - note

includes five archipelagoes: four volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); 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

includes five archipelagoes

four volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); 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

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0.68% 6.28% 93.03% (2011)

arable land

0.68%

other

93.03% (2011)

permanent crops

6.28%

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional cyclonic storms in January

Natural resources

timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Terrain

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Age structure

23.7% (male 34,182/female 32,276) 16.7% (male 24,219/female 22,559) 43.9% (male 63,034/female 59,859) 8.5% (male 12,305/female 11,599) 6.9% (male 9,713/female 10,280) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

23.7% (male 34,182/female 32,276)

15-24 years

16.7% (male 24,219/female 22,559)

25-54 years

43.9% (male 63,034/female 59,859)

55-64 years

8.5% (male 12,305/female 11,599)

65 years and over

6.9% (male 9,713/female 10,280) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

15.47 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

4.93 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

42.5 % 32 % 10.5 % 9.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.5 %

potential support ratio

9.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

42.5 %

youth dependency ratio

32 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

4.78 deaths/1,000 live births 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

4.78 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official) 61.1%, Polynesian (official) 31.4%, Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth

76.79 years 74.54 years 79.15 years (2014 est.)

female

79.15 years (2014 est.)

total population

76.79 years

Literacy

age 14 and over can read and write 98% 98% 98% (1977 est.)

definition

age 14 and over can read and write

female

98% (1977 est.)

male

98%

total population

98%

Major urban areas - population

PAPEETE (capital) 137,000 (2011)

Median age

30.6 years 30.5 years 30.7 years (2014 est.)

female

30.7 years (2014 est.)

male

30.5 years

total

30.6 years

Nationality

French Polynesian(s) French Polynesian

adjective

French Polynesian

noun

French Polynesian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Population

280,026 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.97% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.1% of population rural: 97.1% of population total: 97.1% of population urban: 2.9% of population rural: 2.9% of population total: 2.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

2.9% of population

total

2.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.9% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.95 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

33.2% 29.3% 39.1% (2002)

female

39.1% (2002)

total

33.2%

Urbanization

51.4% of total population (2011) 1.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

51.4% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Papeete (located on Tahiti) 17 32 S, 149 34 W UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

17 32 S, 149 34 W

name

Papeete (located on Tahiti)

time difference

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

Constitution

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Country name

Overseas Lands of French Polynesia French Polynesia Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise Polynesie Francaise French Colony of Oceania

conventional long form

Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

conventional short form

French Polynesia

former

French Colony of Oceania

local long form

Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form

Polynesie Francaise

Dependency status

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas lands of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas lands of France)

Executive branch

President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Lionel BEFFRE (since 16 September 2013) President of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSS (since 17 May 2013); President of the Assembly of French Polynesia L. Edouard FRITCH (since 16 May 2013) Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers 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)

cabinet

Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers

chief of state

President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Lionel BEFFRE (since 16 September 2013)

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)

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)

Flag description

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 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

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

Government - note

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

Government type

parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity

Independence

none (overseas lands of France)

International organization participation

ITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA) note - appeals beyond the French Polynesia Court of Appeal are heard by the Court of Cassation (in Paris) NA Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

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

Legal system

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblee de la Polynesia francaise (57 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 21 April 2013 (first round) and 5 May 2013 (second round) (next to be held in 2018) 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 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

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

elections

last held on 21 April 2013 (first round) and 5 May 2013 (second round) (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

"Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui) Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

lyrics/music

Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN

name

"Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)

National holiday

Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)

National symbol(s)

outrigger canoe

Political parties and leaders

A Tia Porinetia [Teva ROHFRITSCH] Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN (includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours) New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile Vernaudon] Our Home alliance People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU] Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE] Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish

Budget

$865 million $644.1 million (1999)

expenditures

$644.1 million (1999)

revenues

$865 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.9% of GDP (1999)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

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.

Exchange rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 90.01 (2010 est.) 87.59 (2007)

Exports

$200 million (2008 est.) $211 million (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.1% 20% 76.9% (2006)

agriculture

3.1%

industry

20%

services

76.9% (2006)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$22,000 (2006 est.) $18,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-0.4% (2006) 2.7% (2005)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.65 billion (2006)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.65 billion (2006 est.) $5.674 billion (2005 est.) $5.525 billion (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$2.2 billion (2008 est.) $1.706 billion (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2007) 1.1% (2006 est.)

Labor force

116,000 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

13% 19% 68% (2002)

agriculture

13%

industry

19%

services

68% (2002)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

19.7% (2009)

Taxes and other revenues

15.3% of GDP (1999)

Unemployment rate

11.7% (2010) 11.7% (2005)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.22 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

625 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

74.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

25.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

186,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

672 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

8,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

7,190 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.pf

Internet hosts

37,949 (2012)

Internet users

120,000 (2009)

Telephone system

combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 100 per 100 persons country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

55,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

226,000 (2012)

Airports

54 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

33

over 3,047 m

2

total

45

under 914 m

5 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

9

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

12 (Cambodia 1, France 11) (2010)

registered in other countries

12 (Cambodia 1, France 11) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Papeete

major seaport(s)

Papeete

Roadways

2,590 km 1,735 km 855 km (1999)

total

2,590 km

unpaved

855 km (1999)

Manpower available for military service

82,722 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

82,722 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

67,363 66,053 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

66,053 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

67,363

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

2,498 2,390 (2010 est.)

female

2,390 (2010 est.)

male

2,498

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Military branches

no regular military forces (2011)

Disputes - international

none