If you lived in French Polynesia instead of South Korea, you would:

Health

be 5.9 times more likely to be obese

In South Korea, 8.4% of adults are obese as of 2024. In French Polynesia, that number is 49.1% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 4.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In South Korea, 2.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In French Polynesia, that number is 11.7% as of 2025.

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make 38.1% less money

South Korea has a GDP per capita of $36,227 as of 2025, while in French Polynesia, the GDP per capita is $22,440 as of 2024.

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Life

have 2.3 times more children

In South Korea, there are approximately 4.7 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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be 91.3% more likely to die during infancy

In South Korea, approximately 2.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In French Polynesia, on the other hand, 4.4 children do as of 2022.

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Basic Needs

be 25.7% less likely to have internet access

In South Korea, approximately 97.9% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In French Polynesia, about 72.7% do as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

find 25.6% less home broadband

South Korea has 47.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. French Polynesia has 35.5 as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 69.5% less CO2

South Korea emits 11.4 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 (2023–2025), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2021–2022). 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 South Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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