If you lived in French Polynesia instead of New Caledonia, you would:

Health

live 5.3 years longer

In New Caledonia, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In French Polynesia, that number is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 15.9% more likely to live below the poverty line

In New Caledonia, 17.0% live below the poverty line as of 2008. In French Polynesia, however, that number is 19.7% as of 2009.

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make 23.2% less money

New Caledonia has a GDP per capita of $29,213 as of 2024, while in French Polynesia, the GDP per capita is $22,440 as of 2024.

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Life

be 12.0% less likely to die during infancy

In New Caledonia, approximately 5.0 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2020. In French Polynesia, on the other hand, 4.4 children do as of 2022.

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have 23.8% fewer children

In New Caledonia, there are approximately 14.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In French Polynesia, there are 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 11.3% less likely to have internet access

In New Caledonia, approximately 82.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In French Polynesia, about 72.7% do as of 2021.

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Geography

see 12.0% more coastline

New Caledonia has a total of 2,254 km of coastline. In French Polynesia, that number is 2,525 km.

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Safety

be 90.3% less likely to be murdered

New Caledonia has a homicide rate of 3.1 per 100,000 people as of 2009. In French Polynesia, that number is 0.3 per 100,000 as of 2009.

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Infrastructure

find 83.5% more home broadband

New Caledonia has 19.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. French Polynesia has 35.5 as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 79.7% less CO2

New Caledonia emits 17.1 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2022–2024), The World Factbook (2008–2022), United Nations SDG Indicators (2009). How we calculate this

French Polynesia: At a glance

French Polynesia is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 3,827 sq km. The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were halted in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.
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How big is French Polynesia compared to New Caledonia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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