Demographics

French Polynesia covers an area of 4167 million square kilometres, with a land area of 3521 square kilometres, and is made up of 35 volcanic islands and about 183 low-lying coral atolls in five archipelagos. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati to the north-west and Cook Islands to the west. The small, uninhabited island of Clipperton, located far to the north-east, some 600 kilometres off the coast of Mexico, is administered from French Polynesia, under the direct jurisdiction of the High Commissioner. Some 75% of the country’s inhabitants live in the Society Islands, which constitute about one-half of the land area (census 2002). The most important and most populated island is Tahiti.

As of 1 January 2007 the estimated population was 259 800, with 43.10 % below 20 years of age and 6.10% above 65 years. About 83% of the population are Polynesian, 12% European and 5% from Asia. The life expectancy is 73 for males and 76.9 for females.

Political situation

Since 2004, French Polynesia has had the special status of ‘French overseas country’ with extended political independence. However, the core state functions, such as justice, security and public order, defence, foreign policy are still under the authority of France, which is represented by a High Commissioner. Since December 2006, Gaston Tong Sang has been President of French Polynesia.

Socioeconomic situation

In 2003, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was US$ 17 000, with a total GDP of US$ 4.5 billion, relying heavily on transfers from France.

French Polynesia has reached a high level of health and socioeconomic development, as shown by its principal indicators. About 10% (US$ 300 million) of the gross national product is currently spent on health. This favourable situation may be attributed to significant socioeconomic development and to the gradual implementation of an efficient health care system.

Vulnerabilities and hazards

The main challenges facing French Polynesia and its health system are linked to its geography; the spread of its atolls and islands over a vast ocean area; differences between urban and rural areas in terms of social, economic and cultural activities; and the density of the population on Tahiti island, mainly in its urban area, representing 70% of the total population. All these factors make achievement of a really equitable system difficult. The challenges are also linked to the rapid mutation towards a society based on consumption, but with economic and social inequalities, leading to important differences in living standards.

The consequences are an increasing number of environmental issues (habitat, waste management, air, drinking water, water quality, resources and pollution of the lagoons), for which policies are currently being developed. The main risk factors for health are therefore linked to environmental health factors; tobacco; obesity (diabetes and food habits); mental health in its broader context, taking into account the difficulties of a rapidly changing society; habitat; water; and internal and external air quality.

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