Quick facts
French Polynesia population overview
French Polynesia is the 8th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 283,595 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 2 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 2,921 births (10.3 per 1,000 people) and 1,163 deaths (4.1 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,163 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 83,671 in 1960 to 282,465 in 2025 — a change of +237.6%, or +1.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 36.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 84.4 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18.5% of residents are under 15 and 11.9% are 65 or older (2025); 61.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Papeete. French Polynesia covers 3,471 km², giving a population density of about 81.8 people per km². GDP was $6.32B in 2024 — about $22,440 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
French Polynesia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 284,069 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 283,595 |
| World rank | #187 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #8 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.003% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 2,921 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,163 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,163 |
| Birth rate | 10.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 102 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 36.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 84.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 61.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 3,471 km² |
| Population density | 81.8 per km² |
| Capital | Papeete |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $6.32B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $22,440 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
French Polynesia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 284,069 | – | – |
| 2025 | 282,465 | +658 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 281,807 | +689 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 281,118 | +740 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 280,378 | +586 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 279,792 | +583 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 279,209 | +1,343 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 277,866 | +7,286 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 270,580 | +11,073 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 259,507 | +19,170 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 240,337 | +18,219 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 222,118 | +18,342 | +1.7% |
| 1990 | 203,776 | +22,788 | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 180,988 | +24,517 | +3% |
| 1980 | 156,471 | +22,426 | +3.1% |
| 1975 | 134,045 | +20,035 | +3.3% |
| 1970 | 114,010 | +17,993 | +3.5% |
| 1965 | 96,017 | +12,346 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 83,671 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About French Polynesia
Population over time
- From 83,671 in 1960 to 284,069 today — up 239.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 84.2 years (2024), up 24.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.7 births vs 3.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 6.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18.5% of the population is under 15 and 11.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.97 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.01 Mt in 2016 — down 3.4% since.
- Per person: 3.46 t in 2024, vs 1.24 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 7% of final energy in 2022 (+2.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 43.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 39.5% to 43.1% since 1990 — roughly 125 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 61.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 42.3% in 1960 (+19.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1968.
Economy
- GDP: $6.32B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 2.8% since 2014.
- That works out to $22,440 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 11.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
Internet & mobile
- 72.7% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 118.8 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
French Polynesia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of French Polynesia in 2026?
As of October 2026, French Polynesia has an estimated population of 284,069. The United Nations estimated 283,595 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of French Polynesia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.2% per year — roughly 2 more people every day. Each year there are about 2,921 births and 1,163 deaths, with net migration of -1,163.
What is the population density of French Polynesia?
About 81.8 people per square kilometre: 284,069 people living on 3,471 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in French Polynesia?
The median age is 36.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 84.4 years. 18.5% of the population is under 15 and 11.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does French Polynesia rank by population?
French Polynesia is the 187th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 8th in Oceania, with 0.003% of the global population.
How has the population of French Polynesia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 83,671; by 2025 it had grown to 282,465 (+237.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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São Tomé and PríncipeSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.