View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2024 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.wf

Internet users [time series]

total: 5,496 (2021 est.) percent of population: 45.8% (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: 2G widespread; bandwidth is limited; mobile subscriber numbers are higher than fixed-line and better suited for islands; good mobile coverage in the capital cities and also reasonable coverage across more remote atolls; recent international interest in infrastructure development; increase in demand for mobile broadband as mobile services serve as primary source for Internet access; broadband satellite launched in 2019 to improve costs and capability (2020) domestic: fixed-line teledensity 26 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 681; landing point for the Tui-Samoa submarine cable network connecting Wallis Futuna, Samoa and Fiji (2020)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 3,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 0 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2019)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $32.54 million (2015 est.) expenditures: $34.18 million (2015 est.)

Economic overview [time series]

lower-middle-income, agrarian French dependency economy; heavily reliant on French subsidies; licenses fishing rights to Japan and South Korea; major remittances from New Caledonia; aging workforce; import-dependent; deforestation-fueled fragility

Exchange rates [time series]

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 110.347 (2023 est.) 113.474 (2022 est.) 100.88 (2021 est.) 104.711 (2020 est.) 110.347 (2019 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

integrated circuits, jewelry, cars, aircraft parts, polyacetals (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

France 48%, Singapore 12%, US 10%, Guatemala 9%, UK 4% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, beef products, poultry meats, engine parts, packaged medicines (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

Fiji 38%, France 31%, NZ 8%, Iceland 6%, Australia 5% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industries [time series]

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2015)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

16.7% (of GDP) (2015 est.)

Environment

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

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 productivity

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 41.9% (2018 est.) other: 15.3% (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 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]

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

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]

0.6 sq km (2020)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 41.9% (2018 est.) other: 15.3% (2018 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 territory of France)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Blaise GOURTAY (since 1 August 2023) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since 20 March 2022) cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior 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); administrator superior 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 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 court(s): 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) elections: Territorial Assembly - last held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) French Senate - last held on 24 September 2023 (next to be held on 30 September 2026) French National Assembly - last held on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held in June 2027) election results: Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua and 2 members are elected from list Mauli fetokoniaki, 1 seat each from 16 other lists; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA French Senate representative - LR 1 French National Assembly representative - independent 1 note: 1 senator is indirectly elected to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy is directly elected to the French National Assembly for a 5-year term

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 [time series]

Left Radical Party or PRG (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 Socialist Party or PS Taumu'a Lelei Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Around 800 B.C., the first settlers arrived on the islands of Wallis and Futuna, which are a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis, and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s, and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837, and they converted most of the population of both islands by 1846. The missionaries and newly converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a local rebellion. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia the same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia, becoming a French overseas territory in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna became a French overseas collectivity. The islands joined the Pacific Islands Forum as an associate member in 2018, two years after France s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of France

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 1,643/female 1,511) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 5,535/female 5,247) 65 years and over: 12.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,023/female 1,005)

Birth rate [time series]

11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

Current health expenditure [time series]

Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]

56% (2023)

Death rate [time series]

6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 57 youth dependency ratio: 36.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.4 potential support ratio: 4.9 (2021)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Polynesian

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

0.83 (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81.1 years (2024 est.) male: 78.2 years female: 84.2 years

Literacy [time series]

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Major urban areas - population [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 36.3 years (2024 est.) male: 35.5 years female: 37.3 years

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]

-3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Physician density [time series]

Population [time series]

total: 15,964 male: 8,201 female: 7,763 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.22% (2024 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: 92.9% of population total: 92.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 7.1% of population total: 7.1% of population (2020 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.71 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2024)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 (2023) by type: general cargo 1

Ports [time series]

total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Mata-Utu