Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

French Polynesia population growth slows

Posted at 17:32 on 28 October, 2012 UTC

Initial findings from the census in French Polynesia show that the population has continued to grow more slowly while reaching just under 270,000 inhabitants.

Papeete has lost residents and is now the territory’s third largest town.

Walter Zweifel has more.

“Natural population growth has exceeded what researchers believe is a migration deficit, accounting for the 3.4 percent population increase over five years. 75 percent of all residents now live on Tahiti and Moorea, amid an apparent shift away from Papeete to nearby Punaauia and more rural areas. The Marquesas islands in the north recorded substantial increases as did the Austral islands in the very south after 25 years of stagnation. A full analysis of the data, in particular the impact of the French military’s gradual departure, is expected to be released next year.”