Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 52.5% less likely to be obese

In French Polynesia, 49.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Malaysia, that number is 23.3% of people as of 2024.

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live 7.4 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In Malaysia, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 67.8% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Malaysia, that number is 3.8% as of 2025.

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make 41.5% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in Malaysia, the GDP per capita is $13,125 as of 2025.

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Life

have 15.6% more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Malaysia, there are 12.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 59.1% 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 Malaysia, on the other hand, 7.0 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 34.8% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Malaysia, about 98.0% do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 85.1% more coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Malaysia, that number is 4,675 km.

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Infrastructure

find 61.9% less home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Malaysia has 13.6 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 2.4 times more CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Malaysia emits 8.3 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. Malaysia

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Malaysia is 56.7% cheaper than French Polynesia overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
French Polynesia is about 79 times smaller than Malaysia.
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Moving from French Polynesia to Malaysia · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Malaysia: At a glance

Malaysia is a sovereign country in East/Southeast Asia, with a total land area of approximately 328,657 sq km. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies and has introduced some civil reforms.
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How big is Malaysia compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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