Wallis and Futuna

Around 800 B.C., the first settlers arrived on the islands of Wallis and Futuna, which are a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis, and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s, and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837, and they converted most of the population of both islands by 1846. The missionaries and newly converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a local rebellion. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia the same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority.

Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia, becoming a French overseas territory in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna became a French overseas collectivity. The islands joined the Pacific Islands Forum as an associate member in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Map references

Oceania

Area

total : 142 sq km

land: 142 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

comparison ranking: total 221

Area – comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

129 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius

Terrain

volcanic origin; low hills

Elevation

highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

NEGL

Land use

agricultural land: 42.9% (2022 est.)

arable land: 7.1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 35.7% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest: 41.6% (2022 est.)

other: 15.5% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

0.6 sq km (2022)

Natural hazards

cyclones; tsunamis

Geography – note

both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes

People and Society

Population

total: 15,964 (2024 est.)

male: 8,201

female: 7,763

comparison rankings: total 220; female 220; male 220

Nationality

noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders

adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

Ethnic groups

Polynesian

Languages

Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 1,643/female 1,511)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 5,535/female 5,247)

65 years and over: 12.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,023/female 1,005)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 48.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 29.3 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 18.8 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 5.3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 36.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.5 years

female: 37.3 years

comparison ranking: total 92

Population growth rate

0.22% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 174

Birth rate

11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 151

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 153

Net migration rate

-3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 189

Urbanization

urban population: 0% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 188

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 78.2 years

female: 84.2 years

comparison ranking: total population 45

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 160

Gross reproduction rate

0.83 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: NA

rural: 99.1% of population

total: 99.1% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: 0.9% of population

total: 0.9% of population (2020)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: NA

rural: 92.9% of population

total: 92.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: 7.1% of population

total: 7.1% of population (2020 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

56% (2023)

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Environment

Environment – current issues

deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) due to wood as the main fuel source; soil erosion; lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna

Climate

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 0% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna

local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

local short form: Wallis et Futuna

former: Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands

etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS, who visited in 1767; Futuna is a local name, and the meaning is unclear

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France

Dependency status

overseas collectivity of France

Capital

name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W

time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular – circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea

Legal system

French civil law

Constitution

history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

amendment process: French constitution amendment procedures apply

Citizenship

see France

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Blaise GOURTAY (since 1 August 2023)

head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI’AKA’AKA (since 20 March 2022)

cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior on the advice of the Territorial Assembly

election/appointment process: French president elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); administrator superior appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members

note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers

Legislative branch

legislature name: Territorial Assembly (Assemblée territoriale)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 20 (directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 3/20/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Ofa mo’oni ki tou fenua (2); Mauli fetokoniaki (2); 1 seat each from 16 other lists

note: 1 senator is indirectly elected to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy is directly elected to the French National Assembly for a 5-year term

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Assizes or Cour d’Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases)

judge selection and term of office: NA

subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court

note 1: appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d’Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia)

note 2: justice is generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law

Political parties

Left Radical Party or PRG (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG)
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians)
Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR
Socialist Party or PS
Taumu’a Lelei
Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas collectivity of France)

International organization participation

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Independence

none (overseas collectivity of France)

National holiday

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Flag description

unofficial local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant

note: the design is derived from a red flag with a white cross that French missionaries introduced in the 19th century; the flag of France is used for official occasions

National symbol(s)

red saltire (Saint Andrew’s Cross) on a white square on a red field

National color(s)

red, white

National anthem

note: as a territory of France, “La Marseillaise” is official (see France)

Economy

Economic overview

lower-middle-income, agrarian French dependency economy; heavily reliant on French subsidies; licenses fishing rights to Japan and South Korea; major remittances from New Caledonia; aging workforce; import-dependent; deforestation-fueled fragility

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2015)

comparison ranking: 19

Agricultural products

coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish

Industries

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Budget

revenues: $32.54 million (2015 est.)

expenditures: $34.18 million (2015 est.)

Exports – partners

Denmark 35%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 14%, Pakistan 9%, Poland 7% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

seats (2023)

note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Imports – partners

Fiji 35%, France 32%, NZ 11%, Australia 6%, China 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, prepared meat, poultry, iron pipe fittings, animal food (2023)

Exchange rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
110.347 (2023 est.)
113.474 (2022 est.)
100.88 (2021 est.)
104.711 (2020 est.)
110.347 (2019 est.)