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

Health

live 17.6 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In Kiribati, that number is 67 years (65 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

make 88.6% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in Kiribati, the GDP per capita is $2,559 as of 2025.

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Life

have 2.4 times more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Kiribati, there are 25.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 8.8 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 Kiribati, on the other hand, 38.8 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 23.0% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Kiribati, about 89.4% do as of 2024.

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be 20.9% less likely to have access to drinking water

In French Polynesia, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Kiribati, 79% of people do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 54.7% less coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Kiribati, that number is 1,143 km.

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Safety

be 24.0 times more likely to be murdered

French Polynesia has a homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people as of 2009. In Kiribati, that number is 7.2 per 100,000 as of 2012.

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Infrastructure

find 99.9% less home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Kiribati has 0.0 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 82.9% less CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Kiribati emits 0.6 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2023–2025), The World Factbook (2021–2022), United Nations SDG Indicators (2009–2012). How we calculate this

Kiribati: At a glance

Kiribati is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 811 sq km. The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.
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How big is Kiribati compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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