Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 2.3 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022. In Malaysia, that number is 76 years (74 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 80.6% more money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $18,600 as of 2021, while in Malaysia, the GDP per capita is $33,600 as of 2023.

be 67.1% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Malaysia, that number is 3.9% as of 2023.

be 68.5% less likely to live below the poverty line

In French Polynesia, 19.7% live below the poverty line as of 2009. In Malaysia, however, that number is 6.2% as of 2021.

Life

be 49.8% 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 Malaysia, on the other hand, 6.6 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 33.4% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Malaysia, about 97.0% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 85.1% more coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Malaysia, that number is 4,675 km.

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

Malaysia: At a glance

Malaysia is a sovereign country in East/Southeast Asia, with a total land area of approximately 328,657 sq km. During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies and has introduced some civil reforms.
Read more

How big is Malaysia 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 Malaysia.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.