Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in United Kingdom instead of French Polynesia, you would:

Health

be 44.3% less likely to be obese

In French Polynesia, 49.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In United Kingdom, that number is 27.4% of people as of 2024.

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live 2.8 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In United Kingdom, that number is 81 years (80 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 59.3% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In United Kingdom, that number is 4.8% as of 2025.

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make 2.6 times more money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in United Kingdom, the GDP per capita is $57,602 as of 2025.

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Basic Needs

be 31.3% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In United Kingdom, about 95.5% do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 4.9 times more coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In United Kingdom, that number is 12,429 km.

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Infrastructure

find 18.6% more home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. United Kingdom has 42.2 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 22.0% more CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. United Kingdom emits 4.2 tonnes as of 2024.

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

Compare further: French Polynesia vs. United Kingdom

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
United Kingdom is 12.1% more expensive than French Polynesia overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
French Polynesia is about 58 times smaller than United Kingdom.
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Moving from French Polynesia to United Kingdom · UN DESA 2020
117 people born in French Polynesia live in United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom: At a glance

United Kingdom (sometimes abbreviated UK) is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 241,930 sq km. The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two world wars and the Irish Republic's withdrawal from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The UK is also an active member of the EU, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. The latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process, but devolution was fully completed in March 2010.
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How big is United Kingdom compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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