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

Health

live 7.6 years longer

In Thailand, the average life expectancy is 77 years (72 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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be 3.0 times more likely to be obese

In Thailand, 16.4% 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

make 2.8 times more money

Thailand has a GDP per capita of $8,057 as of 2025, while in French Polynesia, the GDP per capita is $22,440 as of 2024.

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be 14.9 times more likely to be unemployed

In Thailand, 0.8% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In French Polynesia, that number is 11.7% as of 2025.

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Life

be 42.9% less likely to die during infancy

In Thailand, approximately 7.7 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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have 31.7% more children

In Thailand, there are approximately 8.1 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 20.0% less likely to have internet access

In Thailand, approximately 90.9% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In French Polynesia, about 72.7% do as of 2021.

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Geography

see 21.6% less coastline

Thailand has a total of 3,219 km of coastline. In French Polynesia, that number is 2,525 km.

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Safety

be 93.8% less likely to be murdered

Thailand has a homicide rate of 4.8 per 100,000 people as of 2011. In French Polynesia, that number is 0.3 per 100,000 as of 2009.

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Infrastructure

find 2.4 times more home broadband

Thailand has 14.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. French Polynesia has 35.5 as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 12.6% less CO2

Thailand emits 4.0 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), The World Factbook (2021–2022), World Health Organization (2024), United Nations SDG Indicators (2009–2011). 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 Thailand? See an in-depth size comparison.

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