Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Iceland instead of French Polynesia, you would:

Health

live 5.2 years longer

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022. In Iceland, that number is 84 years (81 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 3.6 times more money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $18,600 as of 2021, while in Iceland, the GDP per capita is $66,500 as of 2023.

be 69.6% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Iceland, that number is 3.6% as of 2023.

be 55.3% less likely to live below the poverty line

In French Polynesia, 19.7% live below the poverty line as of 2009. In Iceland, however, that number is 8.8% as of 2017.

Life

be 62.5% less likely to die during infancy

In French Polynesia, approximately 4.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Iceland, on the other hand, 1.6 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 37.6% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Iceland, about 100.0% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 96.8% more coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Iceland, that number is 4,970 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Iceland: At a glance

Iceland is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 100,250 sq km. Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world standards.
Read more

How big is Iceland compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Iceland.or French Polynesia It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.