Country Profile: Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna, a French overseas collectivity located in the South Pacific, consists of two main islands and several islets. The population, estimated at 15,964 in 2024, is predominantly Polynesian, practicing Roman Catholicism and using local languages alongside French. The economy is agrarian and heavily reliant on French subsidies, with significant remittances from New Caledonia playing a vital role. Governance is characterized by a parliamentary democracy influenced by French administration.

Geography

Wallis and Futuna is situated in Oceania, approximately two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, with a total area of 142 sq km. The islands feature a tropical climate with a rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October, averaging 26.6 degrees Celsius. The terrain is of volcanic origin, marked by low hills, and the highest point is 522 m at Mont Singavi on Futuna.

129 km of coastline
0 km land boundaries
12 nm territorial sea
Annual rainfall of 250-300 cm with 80% humidity

People and Society

As of 2024, Wallis and Futuna's population is approximately 15,964, with a life expectancy of 81.1 years. The islands are home to a Polynesian ethnic group, with 99% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. The community is predominantly rural, with an urbanization rate of 0%. The median age is 36.3 years, reflecting a relatively youthful demographic structure.

1,643 males and 1,511 females aged 0-14 years
67.5% of the population aged 15-64 years
11.8 births/1,000 population as of 2024
A total fertility rate of 1.71 children born/woman

Economy

The economy of Wallis and Futuna is classified as lower-middle-income and largely agrarian, relying significantly on French subsidies. Major agricultural products include coconuts, yams, and fish, while the economy is also dependent on imports due to limited local resources. The islands license fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, contributing to the economy through remittances from expatriates in New Caledonia.

$32.54 million in revenues for 2015
Imports from Fiji at 35% and France at 32% in 2023
Economic reliance on deforestation and fishing

Government

Wallis and Futuna functions under a parliamentary democracy and is an overseas collectivity of France. The territorial assembly comprises 20 members, directly elected for a term of 5 years. The French president serves as the chief of state, represented locally by the Administrator Superior. The judicial system is based on French civil law, with traditional chieftains retaining some cultural authority.

Mata-Utu is the capital city
18 years is the minimum voting age
The last territorial assembly elections were held on March 20, 2022

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for Wallis and Futuna are managed by France, with no standing military forces on the islands.

Energy

There is limited information available on energy production and consumption in Wallis and Futuna.

Environment

The islands face environmental challenges such as deforestation and soil erosion, exacerbated by the dependence on wood as the primary fuel source. Agricultural activities are hindered by a lack of natural freshwater resources and soil fertility.

41.6% of land classified as forest (2022)
42.9% of land used for agriculture (2022)

Transportation

Wallis and Futuna has minimal transportation infrastructure, including 2 airports and one port located in Mata-Utu. The merchant marine comprises a single cargo vessel, which underscores the reliance on maritime transport for goods and services.

1 merchant marine vessel (2023)
1 port with a very small classification
Future airport development projected for 2025

Communications

Communication services in Wallis and Futuna are limited, with approximately 3,000 fixed-line subscriptions reported in 2021. The use of broadcasting media is facilitated through the French Overseas Network, while internet penetration is noted at 45.8% of the population.

0 mobile cellular subscriptions reported in 2018
Fixed telephone subscriptions at 26 per 100 inhabitants

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	15,964	Estimate for 2024
Area	142 sq km	Total land area
Life Expectancy	81.1 years	Average for total population
Birth Rate	11.8 births/1,000	As of 2024
Median Age	36.3 years	Population median
Unemployment	Not available	No reliable data reported
Agricultural Land	42.9%	Percentage of land used
Telephone Subscriptions	3,000	Fixed lines in 2021
Internet Users	45.8%	Percentage of population (2021)
Air Transportation	2 airports	Planning for 2025