2019 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

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

Highest Point

Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Agricultural Land

42.8% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

7.1% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

35.7% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (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

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

4 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

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

Male

77 years

Total Population

80 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

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

Median Age

Female

34 years

Male

31.9 years

Total

32.8 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

Noun

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

Net Migration Rate

-4.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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.)

Improved Total

96% of population (2008 est.)

Unimproved Rural

4% of population (2008 est.)

Unimproved Total

4% of population (2008 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.09 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.15 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.02 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.91 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.03 male(s)/female (2018 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 (2019)

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

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

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

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)

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

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)

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 directly elects 1 deputy 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% French Senate - LR 1 French National Assembly - independent 1

Elections

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

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) (leader NA) Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU] Socialist Party or PS Taumu'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

2004

$3.67 million

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

2012

90.56

2013

89.85

2014

89.8

2015

110.2

Currency

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

Exports

2004

$47,450

Exports Commodities

copra, chemicals, construction materials

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Government Consumption

54% (2005)

Household Consumption

26% (2005)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$195 million (2005) (2005)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2004

$3,800

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2004

$60 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

NA

Imports

2004

$61.17 million

Imports Commodities

chemicals, machinery, consumer goods

Industries

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2005

2.8%

2015

0.9%

Labor Force

4,482 (2013)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

74%

Industry

3%

Services

23% (2015 est.)

Public Debt

2004

5.6% of GDP

Taxes And Other Revenues

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

Unemployment Rate

2008

12.2%

2013

8.8%

Broadcast Media

the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019)

Internet Country Code

.wf

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

22.1% (July 2016 est.)

Total

3,450

Telephone System

General Assessment

bandwidth is limited and broadband is expensive; mobile subscriber numbers are higher than fixed-line and better suited for islands; good mobile coverage in the capital cities and also reasonable coverage across more remote atolls; new satellite broadband access and speeds (2018)

International

country code - 681

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

20 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

3,132

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

Leava, Mata-Utu

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of France

Disputes International

none