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

Health

live 1.1 years longer

In United Arab Emirates, the average life expectancy is 83 years (82 years for men, 84 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 55.5% more likely to be obese

In United Arab Emirates, 31.6% 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 5.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In United Arab Emirates, 2.2% 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 55.4% less money

United Arab Emirates has a GDP per capita of $50,274 as of 2024, while in French Polynesia, the GDP per capita is $22,440 as of 2024.

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Life

be 15.8% more likely to die during infancy

In United Arab Emirates, approximately 3.8 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 27.3% less likely to have internet access

In United Arab Emirates, approximately 100.0% 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 91.6% more coastline

United Arab Emirates has a total of 1,318 km of coastline. In French Polynesia, that number is 2,525 km.

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Infrastructure

find 13.0% less home broadband

United Arab Emirates has 40.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. French Polynesia has 35.5 as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 81.1% less CO2

United Arab Emirates emits 18.3 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). 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 United Arab Emirates? See an in-depth size comparison.

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