2018 Edition

Background

The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842, and took official control of them between 1886 and 1888. Notably, Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, a phase that ended in May of 1942 with the arrival of 2,000 American troops. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory and officially assumed that status in 1961. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna's designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity.

Area

land

142 sq km

note

includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

total

142 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area Comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius

Coastline

129 km

Elevation

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean

note

522 highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna)

Environment Current Issues

deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna negatively impacts agricultural producitivity

Geographic Coordinates

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Geography Note

both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes

Irrigated Land

0 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

arable land: 7.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 35.7% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

42.8% (2011 est.)

forest

41.9% (2011 est.)

other

15.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map References

Oceania

Maritime Claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

cyclones; tsunamis

Natural Resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic origin; low hills

Age Structure

0-14 years

21.28% (male 1,749 /female 1,606)

15-24 years

15.87% (male 1,336 /female 1,165)

25-54 years

42.65% (male 3,391 /female 3,332)

55-64 years

9.76% (male 752 /female 787)

65 years and over

10.44% (male 782 /female 863) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

13 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Polynesian

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

NA

Hiv Aids Deaths

NA

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

NA

Infant Mortality Rate

female

4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

83.1 years (2018 est.)

male

77 years (2018 est.)

total population

80 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018)

Median Age

female

34 years (2018 est.)

male

31.9 years

total

32.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

noun

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

Net Migration Rate

-4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

note

there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia

Physicians Density

1.1 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

15,763 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.3% (2018 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: rural: 96% of population (2008 est.)

total: 96% of population (2008 est.)

unimproved: rural: 4% of population (2008 est.)

total: 4% of population (2008 est.)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.09 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.11 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.92 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.72 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

0% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea

Capital

geographic coordinates

13 57 S, 171 56 W

name

Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

time difference

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

Citizenship

note

see France

Constitution

amendments

French constitution amendment procedures apply

history

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Country Name

conventional long form

Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

conventional short form

Wallis and Futuna

etymology

Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS who discovered it in 1767; Futuna is derived from the native word "futu," which is the name of the fish-poison tree found on the island

former

Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands

local long form

Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

local short form

Wallis et Futuna

Dependency Status

overseas collectivity of France

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

note

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

note

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Executive Branch

cabinet

Council of the Territory appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly

chief of state

President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Administrator Jean-Francis TREFFEL (since 6 February 2017)

elections/appointments

French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high administrator 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 elected by assembly members; 20 December Thierry Queffelec is appointed high administrator and will take office 7 January 2019

head of government

President of the Territorial Assembly David VERGE (since 4 April 2017)

note

there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers

Flag Description

unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant

note

the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Government Type

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France

Independence

none (overseas collectivity of France)

International Organization Participation

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial Branch

highest courts

Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases); note - appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia)

judge selection and term of office

NA

subordinate courts

courts of first instance; labor court; note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

Legal System

French civil law

Legislative Branch

description

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats - Wallis 13, Futuna 7; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)Wallis and Futuna indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy directly elected to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote for a 5-year term

election results

Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Fia gaue fakatahi kihe kaha'u e lelei and 1 each from 18 other lists; composition - men 14, women 6, percent of women 30%

elections

Territorial Assembly - last held on 26 March 2017 (next to be held in March 2022)

note

French Senate - last held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held by September 2020) French National Assembly - last held on 11 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) French Senate - 1 seat: LR 1 French National Assembly - 1 seat: independent 1

National Anthem

note

as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

National Holiday

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

National Symbol S

red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white

Political Parties And Leaders

Left Radical Party or PRG [Sylvia PINEL] (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG)Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians)Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]Socialist Party or PSTaumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish

Budget

expenditures

34.18 million NA (2015 est.)

revenues

32.54 million NA (2015 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-0.8% (of GDP) NA (2015 est.)

Debt External

$3.67 million (2004)

Economy Overview

The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment.Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities.A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.

Exchange Rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -

110.2 (2015 est.)

89.8 (2014 est.)

89.85 (2013 est.)

90.56 (2012 est.)

Exports

$47,450 (2004 est.)

Exports Commodities

copra, chemicals, construction materials

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

government consumption

54% (2005)

household consumption

26% (2005)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

NA

industry

NA

services

NA

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$195 million (2005) (2005)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$3,800 (2004 est.)

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$60 million (2004 est.)

Gdp Real Growth Rate

note

NA

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

$61.17 million (2004 est.)

Imports Commodities

chemicals, machinery, consumer goods

Industrial Production Growth Rate

NA

Industries

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

0.9% (2015)

2.8% (2005)

Labor Force

4,482 (2013)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

74%

industry

3%

services

23% (2015 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

NA

Public Debt

5.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

note

offical data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

16.7% (of GDP) NA (2015 est.)

Unemployment Rate

8.8% (2013 est.)

12.2% (2008 est.)

Broadcast Media

the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivites, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2008)

Internet Country Code

.wf

Internet Users

percent of population

22.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

3,450 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

international

country code - 681

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

3,132 (July 2016 est.)

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

2 (2013)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s)

Leava, Mata-Utu

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of France

Disputes International

none