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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivites, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.wf

Internet users [time series]

total: 3,450 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 22.1% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

international: country code - 681

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 3,132 (July 2016 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (July 2016 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: 32.54 million NA (2015 est.) | expenditures: 34.18 million NA (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-0.8% (of GDP) NA (2015 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$3.67 million (2004)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities. A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.

Exchange rates [time series]

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - | 110.2 (2015 est.) | 89.8 (2014 est.) | 89.85 (2013 est.) | 90.56 (2012 est.)

Exports [time series]

$47,450 (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

copra, chemicals, construction materials

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$195 million (2005) (2005)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$60 million (2004 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 26% (2005) | government consumption: 54% (2005)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: NA | industry: NA | services: NA

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$3,800 (2004 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$61.17 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

chemicals, machinery, consumer goods

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2015) | 2.8% (2005)

Labor force [time series]

4,482 (2013)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 74% | industry: 3% | services: 23% (2015 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) | note: offical data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

16.7% (of GDP) NA (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.8% (2013 est.) | 12.2% (2008 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 142 sq km | land: 142 sq km | water: 0 sq km | note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

Area - comparative [time series]

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius

Coastline [time series]

129 km

Elevation [time series]

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean | 522 highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna)

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna negatively impacts agricultural producitivity

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Geography - note [time series]

both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 42.8% (2011 est.) | arable land: 7.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 35.7% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.) | forest: 41.9% (2011 est.) | other: 15.3% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

cyclones; tsunamis

Natural resources [time series]

NEGL

Terrain [time series]

volcanic origin; low hills

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea

Capital [time series]

name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) | geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W | time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

see France

Constitution [time series]

history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) | amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands | conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna | local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna | local short form: Wallis et Futuna | former: Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands | etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS who discovered it in 1767; Futuna is derived from the native word "futu," which is the name of the fish-poison tree found on the island

Dependency status [time series]

overseas collectivity of France

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Administrator Jean-Francis TREFFEL (since 6 February 2017) | head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly David VERGE (since 4 April 2017) | cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly | elections/appointments: French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members; 20 December Thierry Queffelec is appointed high administrator and will take office 7 January 2019 | note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant | note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France

Independence [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

International organization participation [time series]

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases); note - appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia) | judge selection and term of office: NA | subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court; note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

Legal system [time series]

French civil law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats - Wallis 13, Futuna 7; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Wallis and Futuna indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy directly elected to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote for a 5-year term | elections: Territorial Assembly - last held on 26 March 2017 (next to be held in March 2022) | election results: Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Fia gaue fakatahi kihe kaha'u e lelei and 1 each from 18 other lists; composition - men 14, women 6, percent of women 30% | French Senate - last held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held by September 2020) French National Assembly - last held on 11 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) French Senate - 1 seat: LR 1 French National Assembly - 1 seat: independent 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

National holiday [time series]

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

National symbol(s) [time series]

red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Left Radical Party or PRG [Sylvia PINEL] (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU] Socialist Party or PS Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA] Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842, and took official control of them between 1886 and 1888. Notably, Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, a phase that ended in May of 1942 with the arrival of 2,000 American troops. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory and officially assumed that status in 1961. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna's designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of France

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.28% (male 1,749 /female 1,606) | 15-24 years: 15.87% (male 1,336 /female 1,165) | 25-54 years: 42.65% (male 3,391 /female 3,332) | 55-64 years: 9.76% (male 752 /female 787) | 65 years and over: 10.44% (male 782 /female 863) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Wallis and Futuna Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Wallis and Futuna. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

13 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Polynesian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80 years (2018 est.) | male: 77 years (2018 est.) | female: 83.1 years (2018 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 32.8 years | male: 31.9 years | female: 34 years (2018 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders | adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.1 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

15,763 (July 2018 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.3% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: rural: 96% of population (2008 est.) | total: 96% of population (2008 est.) | unimproved: rural: 4% of population (2008 est.) | total: 4% of population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.72 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 0% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Leava, Mata-Utu