MigrantoFrench Polynesia Diaspora
2K French Polynesia live abroad — 1% of the population of French Polynesia
French Polynesia diaspora by country
The top 3 countries are home to 78% of the diaspora
| Country | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| New Caledonia | 591 |
| Australia | 521 |
| Mali | 447 |
| Chile | 281 |
| Cook Islands | 138 |
| Wallis and Futuna | 10 |
| Norway | 8 |
| Greece | 7 |
| Luxembourg | 5 |
| Slovakia | 0 |
| Finland | 0 |
| Slovenia | 0 |
By region
63% of the diaspora lives in Oceania
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat, with real migration data
Key facts
The French Polynesia diaspora in numbers
The diaspora is spread more widely than in 1990
The largest country's share fell from 89% to 29%.
The share of the diaspora living in Oceania has declined since 1990
98.8% of the diaspora lived in Oceania in 1990, compared with 62.7% today.
Most French Polynesia abroad live in New Caledonia
29% of the diaspora lives in New Caledonia, while the next country accounts for just 26%.
French Polynesia diaspora population over time
People living abroad, by year
| Year | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 3056 |
| 1995 | 3544 |
| 2000 | 4080 |
| 2005 | 2549 |
| 2010 | 1312 |
| 2015 | 1674 |
| 2020 | 1915 |
| 2024 | 2008 |
Largest communities over time
French Polynesia living in the 5 largest countries, by year
| Year | New Caledonia | Australia | Mali | Chile | Cook Islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2726 | 212 | 0 | 18 | 63 |
| 1995 | 3159 | 255 | 0 | 23 | 66 |
| 2000 | 3593 | 343 | 0 | 30 | 68 |
| 2005 | 1974 | 392 | 0 | 44 | 90 |
| 2010 | 355 | 465 | 278 | 66 | 112 |
| 2015 | 532 | 535 | 341 | 110 | 117 |
| 2020 | 563 | 543 | 398 | 255 | 128 |
| 2024 | 591 | 521 | 447 | 281 | 138 |
Fastest-changing communities
How the number of French Polynesia in each country has changed since the selected year
French Polynesia among immigrants in other countries
Where French Polynesia make up the largest share of a country's immigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many French Polynesia live outside French Polynesia?
Around 2K French Polynesia live abroad, the world's #216 largest diaspora.
Where do most French Polynesia abroad live?
Most French Polynesia live in New Caledonia, Australia and Mali — these three countries account for about 78% of all French Polynesia living abroad.
Which country has the largest French Polynesia population outside French Polynesia?
New Caledonia is home to the largest French Polynesia community abroad — 591 people, about 29% of all French Polynesia living abroad.
What share of the population of French Polynesia lives abroad?
About 1% of the population of French Polynesia lives abroad — that's 2K out of a total population of 281.8K.
Is the French Polynesia diaspora growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of French Polynesia living abroad has grown from 1.7K to 2K, about 20%.
Where does the data on the French Polynesia diaspora come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born in French Polynesia who now live in other countries. Descendants of emigrants born abroad are not included.
Where to live?
Score countries, regions and cities by what matters to you
Living in French Polynesia
See the full country overview