Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 28.4% less likely to be obese

In French Polynesia, 49.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Jamaica, that number is 35.2% of people as of 2024.

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live 12.6 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In Jamaica, that number is 72 years (69 years for men, 74 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 71.8% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Jamaica, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.

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make 64.3% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in Jamaica, the GDP per capita is $8,003 as of 2025.

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Life

be 3.7 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 Jamaica, on the other hand, 16.4 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 23.9% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Jamaica, about 90.1% do as of 2024.

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be 12.4% less likely to have access to drinking water

In French Polynesia, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Jamaica, 88% of people do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 59.5% less coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Jamaica, that number is 1,022 km.

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Infrastructure

find 55.0% less home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Jamaica has 16.0 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 17.9% less CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Jamaica emits 2.8 tonnes as of 2024.

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

Compare further: French Polynesia vs. Jamaica

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Jamaica is 23.8% cheaper than French Polynesia overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
French Polynesia is about 2.6 times smaller than Jamaica.
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Moving from French Polynesia to Jamaica · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Jamaica: At a glance

Jamaica is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 10,831 sq km. The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.
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How big is Jamaica compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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