Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 10.5 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022. In Kiribati, that number is 68 years (65 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 89.2% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $18,600 as of 2021, while in Kiribati, the GDP per capita is $2,000 as of 2022.

be 2.6 times more likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In Kiribati, that number is 30.6% as of 2010.

be 11.2% more likely to live below the poverty line

In French Polynesia, 19.7% live below the poverty line as of 2009. In Kiribati, however, that number is 21.9% as of 2019.

Life

have 46.3% more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 13.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Kiribati, there are 19.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 7.5 times more 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 Kiribati, on the other hand, 32.9 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 25.7% less likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Kiribati, about 54.0% do as of 2021.

be 18.0% less likely to have access to improved drinking water

In French Polynesia, approximately 100% of people have improved drinking water access as of 2020. In Kiribati, 82% of people do as of 2020.

Geography

see 54.7% less coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Kiribati, that number is 1,143 km.

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

Kiribati: At a glance

Kiribati is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 811 sq km. The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.
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How big is Kiribati compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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