Quality of life comparison
If you lived in French Polynesia instead of Vanuatu, you would:
Health
live 12.5 years longer
In Vanuatu, the average life expectancy is 72 years (70 years for men, 74 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.
be 2.2 times more likely to be obese
In Vanuatu, 22.6% of adults are obese as of 2024. In French Polynesia, that number is 49.1% of people as of 2024.
Economy
make 5.6 times more money
Vanuatu has a GDP per capita of $4,039 as of 2025, while in French Polynesia, the GDP per capita is $22,440 as of 2024.
be 2.3 times more likely to be unemployed
In Vanuatu, 5.1% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In French Polynesia, that number is 11.7% as of 2025.
Life
be 69.4% less likely to die during infancy
In Vanuatu, approximately 14.4 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.
have 61.3% fewer children
In Vanuatu, there are approximately 27.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In French Polynesia, there are 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 62.3% more likely to have access to electricity
In Vanuatu, approximately 62% of people have electricity access (88% in urban areas, and 54% in rural areas) as of 2023. In French Polynesia, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 14.8% more likely to have access to drinking water
In Vanuatu, approximately 87% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In French Polynesia, 100% of people do as of 2024.
Infrastructure
find 30.6 times more home broadband
Vanuatu has 1.2 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. French Polynesia has 35.5 as of 2023.
Environment
emit 4.0 times more CO2
Vanuatu emits 0.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2023–2025), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2022). How we calculate this
Compare further: Vanuatu vs. French Polynesia
French Polynesia: At a glance
How big is French Polynesia compared to Vanuatu? See an in-depth size comparison.