Photo: mcclave · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
French Polynesia: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
French Polynesia is placed 128th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 46.26 (2025); Labour Income Share 51.48 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
128th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place French Polynesia on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
46.26
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
French Polynesia: 46.26. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Polynesia
- 48.81 Tonga
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
11.66
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
French Polynesia: 11.66. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Polynesia
- 2.008 Tonga
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
14.78
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
French Polynesia: 14.78. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Polynesia
- 14.78 French Polynesia
02Over time
Which way French Polynesia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
French PolynesiaWorld median
French Polynesia fell from 51.78 in 2000 to 46.26 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year French Polynesia World median 2025 46.262 57.720 2024 46.667 57.694 2023 47.157 58.158 2022 47.598 57.688 2021 47.440 56.066 2020 47.400 55.691 2019 48.981 57.871 2018 49.163 56.911 2017 49.350 56.738 2016 49.323 56.845 2015 49.357 56.788 2014 49.379 56.774 2013 49.406 56.229 2012 49.436 56.289 2011 49.322 56.297 2010 49.342 56.212 2009 49.394 56.255 2008 49.480 57.308 2007 49.493 56.933 2006 49.769 56.685 2005 50.077 56.129 2004 50.415 55.465 2003 50.754 55.630 2002 51.104 55.843 2001 51.437 56.018 2000 51.782 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
French PolynesiaWorld median
French Polynesia fell from 51.87 in 2004 to 51.48 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year French Polynesia World median 2025 51.480 46.230 2024 51.548 46.060 2023 51.344 45.900 2022 51.004 45.615 2021 51.288 45.433 2020 54.052 47.267 2019 51.450 46.277 2018 51.608 46.187 2017 51.132 46.467 2016 51.519 46.798 2015 51.614 46.876 2014 51.850 47.281 2013 51.888 46.887 2012 52.149 46.231 2011 52.550 45.679 2010 52.457 46.024 2009 52.808 47.071 2008 51.986 45.312 2007 51.662 45.246 2006 51.842 45.670 2005 51.975 46.265 2004 51.865 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
French PolynesiaWorld median
French Polynesia rose from 11.58 in 2000 to 11.66 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year French Polynesia World median 2025 11.662 5.08 2024 11.613 5.15 2023 11.613 5.21 2022 11.793 5.34 2021 12.558 6.04 2020 12.963 6.38 2019 11.591 5.36 2018 11.599 5.35 2017 11.595 5.59 2016 11.727 5.90 2015 11.794 6.41 2014 11.894 6.58 2013 12.027 6.71 2012 12.134 6.79 2011 12.257 6.90 2010 12.133 7.04 2009 11.963 6.67 2008 11.760 5.79 2007 11.740 6.00 2006 11.768 6.50 2005 11.722 7.09 2004 11.702 6.80 2003 11.751 6.95 2002 11.710 6.91 2001 11.665 6.96 2000 11.583 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
French PolynesiaWorld median
French Polynesia fell from 20.86 in 2000 to 14.78 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year French Polynesia World median 2025 14.7812 28.67 2024 14.9656 29.04 2023 15.1268 29.33 2022 15.2664 29.67 2021 15.3795 30.01 2020 15.6213 30.54 2019 15.3314 29.98 2018 15.4886 30.15 2017 15.6027 29.93 2016 15.6889 29.91 2015 15.7205 30.26 2014 15.7201 30.47 2013 15.6855 31.14 2012 15.6171 31.00 2011 15.5551 31.41 2010 15.4674 32.37 2009 15.3945 32.59 2008 15.3620 31.76 2007 15.3772 33.47 2006 16.2622 34.27 2005 17.1016 34.66 2004 17.9543 35.51 2003 18.8207 35.90 2002 19.6823 35.96 2001 20.2588 35.27 2000 20.8627 35.67
03In context
French Polynesia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
French Polynesia and Polynesia
French Polynesia has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tonga | =103rd | 48.81 | 43.68 | 2.008 | 33.7 |
| French Polynesia | 128th | 46.26 | 51.48 | 11.66 | 14.78 |
 Samoa | 152nd | 40.41 | 42.11 | 4.996 | 41.64 |
 American Samoa | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Cook Islands | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Niue | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Tuvalu | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Polynesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below French Polynesia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where French Polynesia is ahead of the world, and behind
9 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median1
Statistics on which French Polynesia does better than the middle country measured.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1656.922.16No real change since 2015
French Polynesia: 56.9 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 36th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which French Polynesia does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3646.6353.36▼ Worsened since 2015
French Polynesia: 46.63 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6652.3761.66▼ Worsened since 2015
French Polynesia: 52.37 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 146th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8336.5712.83▼ Worsened since 2015
French Polynesia: 36.57 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 12th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end5
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5183.7559.51No real change since 2015
French Polynesia: 83.75 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 11th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8418.231.84Moved since 2015
French Polynesia: 18.2 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 126th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8935.3338.89No real change since 2015
French Polynesia: 35.33 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 131st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8814.3318.88Moved since 2015
French Polynesia: 14.33 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 143rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.381.91814.38No real change since 2015
French Polynesia: 1.918 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 156th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for French Polynesia
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker (last 2015), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Compliance with Labour Rights, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Firms Competing Against Informal Firms, Firms Offering Formal Training, Firms with a Female Top Manager, GDP per Person Employed, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Length of Paid Maternity Leave, Length of Paid Paternity Leave, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees, Statutory Minimum Wage, Trade Union Density, Unemployment Benefit Coverage, Working Poverty Rate and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among French Polynesia’s 3 topics
Work & Labour is French Polynesia’s 3rd best-placed topic of 3. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
No standing on Governance & Institutions, Economy & Innovation, Education & Knowledge, Health & Wellbeing, Development & Human Capital, Environment & Sustainability, Gender & Equality, Democracy & Civil Liberties, Peace & Security, Risk & Resilience, Food & Agriculture, Poverty & Inequality, Digital & Technology: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders French Polynesia can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
Australia=4th4/4 keysHighest in Polynesia
Tonga=103rd4/4 keysThis page
French Polynesia128th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about French Polynesia and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
French Polynesia on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does French Polynesia rank on work & labour?
French Polynesia is placed 128th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for French Polynesia?
46.26 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for French Polynesia?
51.48 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How have French Polynesia’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 51.78 in 2000 to 46.26 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 51.87 in 2004 to 51.48 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 11.58 in 2000 to 11.66 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 20.86 in 2000 to 14.78 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for French Polynesia?
No current reading is published for French Polynesia on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Compliance with Labour Rights, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Firms Competing Against Informal Firms, Firms Offering Formal Training, Firms with a Female Top Manager, GDP per Person Employed, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Length of Paid Maternity Leave, Length of Paid Paternity Leave, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees, Statutory Minimum Wage, Trade Union Density, Unemployment Benefit Coverage, Working Poverty Rate and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 9 statistics on this page come from 1 publisher, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
French Polynesia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- French Polynesia (banner) — mcclave, CC BY 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). French Polynesia: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/french-polynesia/work