key financial indicators

Like all global economies, the Polynesian economy experienced the impact of Covid-19 between 2020 and 2022. The tourism sector, which is the primary economic resource of French Polynesia, was particularly affected by the pandemic.

In 2023, the conomy of French Polynesia is charcterized by record toursim and a decline in inflation.

Airport infrastructure

Tahiti – Faa’a international airport

  • 1 685 104 passenger processed in 2023 at Tahiti Faa’a Airport.

  • In 2023, passenger volume was 15% higher than in 2019 ( the reference year, befor the Covid crisis).

  • Passenger growth (PAX) : +22% compared to 2022.

  • CAGR of GDP 2018-2023 : 2,59%.

  • Load factor for regular international flights in 2023: 79%.

  • 8 direct international destinations :

    • Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Japan, New Zealand, Hawaii, New Caledonia and Cook Islands.

Aerodromes

French Polynesia is equipped with 46 territorial aerodromes, 1 state aerodrome (Tahiti Faa’a) and 1 military aerodrome (Moruroa). In addition, there are 4 private aerodromes. The state aerodrome of Tahiti-Faa’a has been managed by the SAS Aéroport de Tahiti (ADT) since April 1st, 2010, under a concession agreement. French Polynesia holds jurisdiction over the 46 aerodromes and is responsible for airport operations.

employement

In 2023, the number of salaried employees amounted to 71,840. The tertiary sector accounts for nearly 82% of salaried employees in French Polynesia, compared to 8.1% and 7.7% for the construction and industrial sectors, respectively.

As of January 1st, 2023, the guaranteed minimum interprofessionnal wage is 169,153 XPF per month for 169 hours worked.

economy

  • Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings: Long-term rating of “A” and short-term rating “A1” for 2023.
  • GDP 2023 : 706 billion XPF.
  • 2023 GDP growth rate : + 3% in volume and +7% in value.
  • CAGR in monetary supply 2014-2023 : +6,6%.
  • GDP per capita : 2.5 million XPF in 2023.
  • Consumer Price Index : +0,6% in 2023.
  • Gross Business Creation Rate in 2023: 11% (3,892 new businesses created, 86% of which are individual enterprises).
  • Nearly 37,500 active businesses as of December 31, 2023, with 82% being individual businesses and 18% being companies.
  • Private investments in 2023 : 105 billion XPF.
  • State Expenditure / GDP in 2023: 30% of GDP.
  • Business Climate Index (IEOM 2023): 107,3*.
  • More than 71,800 salaried employees: 2% in the primary sector, 16% in the secondary sector, and 82% in the tertiary sector.

*basis 100

PORT Infrastructure

Port of Papeete

The port of Papeete is the 4th busiest port in terms of passenger numbers at the national level (including Overseas Territories) and the 3rd busiest for all destinations in the South Pacific.

Environment

  • «Te Tainui Atea» which encompasses the entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of French Polynesia, is the largest marine area under management in the world.
  • French Polynesia has been one of the largest marine mammal sanctuaries on the planet since 2002.
  • All shark species are protected. Their transport, possession, capture on land or at sea, taxidermy and commercialization are prohibited.
  • The municipality of Fakarava has been classified as a UNESCO “Biosphere Reserve” since 2006.
  • The Taputapuātea marae has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017.
  • Since 2000, Bora Bora has been the only municipality in the Pacific to hold the “Blue Flag” label.
  • Since July 2024, the Marquesas Islands have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Exports

  • Local exports in 2023 : 22,6 billion XPF.
  • 79% of exports are pearl products, 10% fish, 2% vanilla, 1%
    noni, 1% monoï, 1% mother-of-pearl and 6% other products.
  • MSC certification obtained in 2018 for the professional tuna fleet, covering both albacore and bigeye tuna.
  • Tahitian vanilla stood out at the 2024 Paris International Agricultural Show with two gold medals for Vanille de Tahiti and Manutea Vanille, while Royale Vanille won silver .
  • Agricultural Rum: At the 2024 International Agricultural Show in Paris, the Avatea Distillery of Paea won two awards, one gold and one silver. The Pari Pari estate from the Taha’a Distillery won two medals, silver and bronze. Manutea won the bronze.

Tourism

  • Tourism revenues amounted to 99 billion XPF, reprensenting approximately 14% of French Polynesia’s GDP in 2023.
  • 80% of tourists and tourism revenue come from France and North America.
  • 261,813 tourists in 2023 : 17% are cruise passengers and 83% are land-based tourists.
  • North American tourists account for 46% of the total, followed by those from mainland France (30%).
  • As of 30 June 2024, there are 43 hotels in Polynésie française offering 2,604 accomodation units, with a total capacity of 6,216 tourists, 95% of which is located in the Society Islands.
  • Average occupancy rate in 2023 : 73,2%.
  • RevPar* in December 2023 : 43,000 XPF.
  • RMC** 2023 : 66,293 XPF.
  • Average length of stay in 2023 : 15.8 days.

 

Sources : CPS, ISPF, IEOM, AFD, CEROM, ADT, DRM, Douanes PF, DGEN. *RevPar: Average Revenue per Available Room. *RMC: Average Revenue per Rented Room.

Digital economy

  • A vibrant and innovative digital ecosystem at the heart of Oceania. Polynesian Tech, the South Pacific innovation hub, is officially recognized as a French Tech Community.
  • The international submarine optical fiber communication cable, Honotua, provides high-speed internet access from Hawaii to residents of Tahiti, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine and Moorea.
  • Natitua, the submarine digital and domestic cable, has connected Tahiti to 20 islands in the Marquesas and Tuamotu archipelagos since late 2018.
  • In 2020, the international Manatua cable helped secure the Honotua international and domestic system, linking Samoa to Tahiti via Niue and the Cook Islands.
  • As part of continued digital development, Natitua Sud xwas launched in 2023, connecting Tahiti to Tubuai and Rurutu in the Austral Islands.