French Polynesia Population 2021

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity or country of the French Republic that is comprised of many groups of Polynesian islands. The most well-known of these islands is Tahiti in the Society Islands group, with is also the most populous. French Polynesia is divided into five island groups: the Austral Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Society Islands archipelago, which is made up of the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. 67 of the nation's 118 atolls and islands are inhabited. The most populous island is Tahiti, which is part of the Society Islands.

According to the 2012 census, 68.5% of the population lived on Tahiti. The capital city of Papeete, on Tahiti, has a population of 134,000. The country has an overall population density of 76 people per square kilometer (197/square mile), which ranks 130th in the world.

French Polynesia Demographics

The 2007 census found that 87% of the population in French Polynesia were born in the country, 9% were born in metropolitan France, 1% were born in overseas France outside of French Polynesia and 2% were born in foreign countries.

The last census that asked about ethnicity occurred in 1988, at which point 66.5% of the population was ethnically Polynesian, 7% was ethnically mixed Polynesian, 11.9% were European (primarily French), 93% were of mixed Polynesian and French descent (referred to as the Demis) and 4.7% were East Asians (primarily Chinese).

The Chinese, Demis and white population are concentrated on Tahiti, particularly in the capital of Papeete.

The main religion is Christianity. 54% belong to Protestant churches while 30% are Roman Catholic. About 50% of the population of the country belongs to the Maoi Protestant Church. There are also about 22,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and 2,700 Jehovah's Witnesses.

French Polynesia has a relatively high standard of living and access to health care is improving. Despite this, French Polynesia remains in a vulnerable position as it has few natural resources. The country has control over its own government, and, while independence from France is a possibility one day, it will not happen in the near future.

French Polynesia's population is currently growing at a rate of 1% per year. This modest growth rate is expected to continue for the next decade.

French Polynesia is a territory that technically belongs to France. In other words, French Polynesia is known as an overseas collectivity, meaning French Polynesia is an archipelago of many smaller islands that, despite being offshore of Europe and far away from France, it is under French control. The country of France governs French Polynesia, despite the lack of proximity. Five distinct island groups make up French Polynesia. These five groups are named the Gambier Islands, the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands. In total, French Polynesia is comprised of 118 islands, but only sixty-seven of these islands can or do, sustain life.

GPS Location of French Polynesia

The latitude and longitude points of French Polynesia is comprised of a latitude of 17° 41' 14.67" S and a longitude of 149° 22' 22.54" W. As a country in the southern hemisphere, French Polynesia lies below the equator. French Polynesia is also part of the global western hemisphere.

Most Extreme Points of French Polynesia

French Polynesia currently only has one undisputed point of extremity. The farthest point of the four cardinal directions of French Polynesia is in the south. This southernmost point of the country is located on Southern Rock on the volcanic island group of Marotiri. The GPS coordinate of this point of extremity is 27°55' S.

French Polynesia’s Total Size and Population Density

The total area of French Polynesia is a combined 1,608 square miles. French Polynesia’s boundaries encompass about 1,477 square miles of land and 131 square miles of water, making it 92% land and 8% water.

French Polynesia’s current population is approximately 287,361 people as of the year 2019. With a population of this magnitude, French Polynesia is the 182nd most populated country in the world in terms of population. From here, the population density can be calculated, which is a value that explains the numerical relationship between French Polynesia’s total area and the country’s population.

The population density of French Polynesia is calculated by dividing the population by the total area. For French Polynesia, there are about 179 people per square mile of area. That said, the population density of French Polynesia is a value of 179.