Country Profile: Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas collectivity located in the South Pacific Ocean, serving as a midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. The islands, comprising Wallis and Futuna, have a total area of 142 square kilometers and a population of approximately 16,000 people. The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and French subsidies, with a significant portion of the workforce engaged in subsistence farming. The territory is governed as a parliamentary democracy, with the French president acting as the head of state.

Geography

Wallis and Futuna consists of volcanic islands featuring low hills and is bounded by a tropical climate characterized by a hot, rainy season and a cooler dry period. The islands possess no land boundaries but boast a coastline of 129 kilometers and an exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles.

142 sq km: Total area, including Île Uvea and Île Futuna.
129 km: Coastline length.
522 m: Elevation of the highest point, Mont Singavi on Futuna.
12 nm: Territorial sea limit.
250-300 cm: Annual rainfall.

People and Society

The population of Wallis and Futuna is predominantly Polynesian, with a majority identifying as Roman Catholic. The islands have a youthful demographic structure, yet they experience a net migration outflow. The society is marked by a high literacy rate, and the predominant languages spoken are Wallisian, Futunian, and French.

15,998: Estimated population by 2025.
99.8%: Literacy rate across the population (2023).
81.1 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
3.8 deaths/1,000: Infant mortality rate (2025).
36.9 years: Median age of the population.

Economy

Wallis and Futuna operates as a lower-middle-income economy heavily reliant on agriculture and French financial support. The territory exports mainly agricultural goods and is crucially dependent on imports. Key industries include copra production, fishing, and handicrafts.

$32.54 million: Estimated revenue in 2015.
$34.18 million: Estimated expenditures in 2015.
35%: Share of exports to Denmark in 2023.
35%: Share of imports from Fiji in 2023.
1: General cargo merchant ship in the fleet (2023).

Government

Wallis and Futuna is governed as a parliamentary democracy and is classified as an overseas collectivity of France. The territory has a unicameral Territorial Assembly and is administratively divided into three precincts. The legal system is based on French civil law.

3: Administrative precincts (Alo, Sigave, Uvea).
20: Seats in the Territorial Assembly.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
President Emmanuel Macron: Chief of state since May 14, 2017.
Mata-Utu: Capital city located on Île Uvea.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for Wallis and Futuna rest with France, meaning there are no indigenous military forces on the islands.

Energy

The primary sources of energy in Wallis and Futuna are limited, as the islands rely on imported fuel. Local energy production is minimal, which contributes to an energy-dependent economy.

Environment

The islands face environmental challenges, including deforestation due to reliance on wood as a fuel source and soil erosion. Only small portions of the original forests remain, which has led to further complications related to soil fertility.

74.9%: Forest coverage (2023).
42.3%: Agricultural land use (2023).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Wallis and Futuna includes two airports and a minimal maritime fleet, reflecting the limited connectivity to the mainland and other regions.

2: Airports serving the territory (2025).
1: Merchant marine vessel (2023).
1: Key port located at Mata-Utu.

Communications

The territory possesses a modest telecommunications infrastructure consisting of both fixed lines and mobile cellular networks. Internet usage is expanding, but remains limited overall.

12,200: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
45.8%: Percentage of the population using the Internet (2021).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	15,998 (2025 est.)
Area	142 sq km
Life Expectancy	81.1 years (2024)
Literacy Rate	99.8% (2023)
Total Fertility Rate	1.71 children/woman (2025 est.)
Birth Rate	11.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death Rate	6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Agricultural Land Use	42.3% (2023 est.)
Urban Population	0% (2023)
Airports	2 (2025)