Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Bhutan instead of French Polynesia, you would:

Health

be 73.4% less likely to be obese

In French Polynesia, 49.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 13.1% of people as of 2024.

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live 10.9 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 73 years (72 years for men, 75 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 72.3% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Bhutan, that number is 3.2% as of 2025.

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make 80.0% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in Bhutan, the GDP per capita is $4,493 as of 2025.

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Life

have 17.2% more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Bhutan, there are 12.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 3.1 times more likely to die during infancy

In French Polynesia, approximately 4.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Bhutan, on the other hand, 13.7 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 25.6% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Bhutan, about 91.3% do as of 2024.

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Infrastructure

find 91.8% less home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Bhutan has 2.9 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 41.9% less CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Bhutan emits 2.0 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2023–2025), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2021–2022). How we calculate this

Compare further: French Polynesia vs. Bhutan

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Bhutan is 78.2% cheaper than French Polynesia overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
French Polynesia is about 9 times smaller than Bhutan.
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Moving from French Polynesia to Bhutan · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Bhutan: At a glance

Bhutan is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 38,394 sq km. In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following parliamentary elections in 2013, which routed the incumbent party. The disposition of some 30,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.
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