French Polynesia Population
East Asia & Pacific · 179th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
283,261
The population of French Polynesia is about 283,261 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 283 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.00% of the world's people.
French Polynesia is ranked 179th of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.22% a year. Projections show it peaking around 2040 at about 289 thousand, then declining. That is 3.4 times its 1960 population of 84 thousand. Population density is 80 people per square kilometre. 62% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
283 thousand
Yearly change
+0.22%
World rank
179th
Share of world
0.00%
Density
80/km²
Land area
3,521 km²
Life expectancy
84.2 yrs
Births per woman
1.49
GDP per capita
$22,440
GDP
$6.3B
Population of French Polynesia, 1960–2050
French Polynesia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 83,671 | — | 24 |
| 1970 | 114,010 | +3.54% | 32 |
| 1980 | 156,471 | +3.23% | 44 |
| 1990 | 203,776 | +2.07% | 58 |
| 2000 | 240,337 | +1.58% | 68 |
| 2010 | 270,580 | +0.41% | 77 |
| 2020 | 279,209 | +0.06% | 79 |
| 2024 | 281,807 | +0.25% | 80 |
| 2026proj. | 283,076 | +0.22% | 80 |
| 2030proj. | 285,546 | +0.23% | 81 |
| 2040proj. | 289,169 | +0.03% | 82 |
| 2050proj. | 284,750 | −0.31% | 81 |
French Polynesia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 628 times as many people as French Polynesia. Bangladesh is 17.0 times more densely populated.
French Polynesia population: questions and answers
What is the population of French Polynesia in 2026?
About 283,076 (283 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is French Polynesia's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.22% a year (2026).
What is the population density of French Polynesia?
About 80 people per km², with a land area of 3,521 km².
What will the population of French Polynesia be in 2050?
About 285 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of French Polynesia?
Papeete.
What is the life expectancy in French Polynesia?
84.2 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.