Moving to French Polynesia from Cook Islands

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Cook Islands to French Polynesia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Cook Islands to French Polynesia, and you’d need to navigate life in French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Cook Islands to French Polynesia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2012

per 100,000 people per year

CK
3.5
PF
0.3

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Adult obesity rate World Health Organization, 2024

share of adults with obesity

CK
72.4%
PF
49.1%

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all health & wellbeing metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CK
18.2
PF
35.5
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

CK
64.8%
PF
72.7%

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

CK
13.1%
PF
11.7%

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2024

average years of life at birth

CK
77.1 yrs
PF
84.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CK
15.9
PF
4.4

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all family life metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from French Polynesia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is French Polynesia safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in French Polynesia is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.5 in Cook Islands.

How is healthcare in French Polynesia compared to Cook Islands?

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Cook Islands across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What language do they speak in French Polynesia?

The official language in French Polynesia is French. In Cook Islands, the official languages are Cook Islands Māori and English.

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At a Glance

CK PF
Population 14,222 282,465
Currency New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) CFP Franc (CFPF)
Languages Cook Islands Māori, English French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +682 +689
Time zones 1 3