Wallis and Futuna

Background

Approximately in 800 B.C., the initial settlers reached the islands of Wallis and Futuna, which lie at a natural crossroads between Fiji and Samoa. By A.D. 1500, the Tongans had invaded Wallis, leading to the establishment of a chiefdom system that mirrored Tonga's structured hierarchy on the island. While the Tongans made attempts to colonize Futuna, they faced consistent resistance. In the 1600s, Samoans arrived in Futuna, giving rise to a chiefdom system that was somewhat less centralized. The islands were first encountered by Dutch explorers in 1616, followed by visits from various Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to settle permanently in Wallis and Futuna, arriving in 1837 and succeeding in converting a majority of the population on both islands by 1846. Following a local uprising, the missionaries and the newly converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis requested France to establish a protectorate in 1842. France consented, though the status of the protectorate would not be formally ratified until 1887. In 1888, both King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, located in Futuna, entered into a treaty that established a French protectorate; that same year, the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was incorporated into the territory of New Caledonia. In 1910, France renegotiated the conditions of the protectorate with the three kings of the territory, thereby enhancing French governance.

During World War II, Wallis and Futuna was the sole French colony to align with the Vichy regime, remaining so until the arrival of Free French and U.S. forces in 1942. In 1959, the islanders voted for independence from New Caledonia, which led to the establishment of their status as a French overseas territory in 1961. Despite this separation, a considerable community of Wallisians and Futunans continues to reside in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna attained the status of a French overseas collectivity. The islands became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories achieved full membership in the organization.

Area

Climate

characterized by a tropical climate; a hot, rainy season from November to April; and a cool, dry season from May to October; receives annual rainfall of 250-300 cm (with 80% humidity); has an average temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius

Terrain

of volcanic origin; features low hills

Land use

Location

located in Oceania, these islands are situated in the South Pacific Ocean, roughly two-thirds of the distance from Hawaii to New Zealand

Coastline

129 km

Elevation

Irrigated land

0.6 sq km (2022)

Map references

Oceania

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

subject to cyclones and tsunamis

Geography - note

both island groups possess fringing reefs; Wallis is home to several notable crater lakes

Natural resources

NEGL

Area - comparative

is 1.5 times larger than Washington, D.C.

Geographic coordinates

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Literacy

Languages

Wallisian (native Polynesian tongue) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official language) 10.8%, other languages 0.2% (estimate from 2003)

Religions

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Sex ratio

Birth rate

11.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median age

Population

Nationality

Urbanization

Age structure

Ethnic groups

Polynesian

Dependency ratios

Net migration rate

-3.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

Infant mortality rate

Population growth rate

0.19% (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.84 (2025 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Sanitation facility access

Major urban areas - population

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

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

57.2% (2018 est.)

Climate

tropical climate characterized by a hot and rainy season from November to April, followed by a cooler and drier season from May to October; annual rainfall ranges from 250 to 300 cm with an average humidity of 80%; the mean temperature is 26.6 degrees Celsius.

Land use

Urbanization

Environmental issues

deforestation resulting in only minor remnants of the original forests, primarily driven by the use of wood as the main energy source; soil erosion issues; scarcity of natural freshwater sources; and decreased soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna.

Flag

description: the unofficial local flag features a red background with four white isosceles triangles at its center; the apexes of these triangles point inward and are positioned at right angles to one another; a small representation of the French flag, bordered in white on two sides, appears in the upper-left corner

meaning: the triangles symbolize the three indigenous monarchs of the islands alongside the French administrator

history: this design is based on a red flag adorned with a white cross that was brought by French missionaries in the 19th century

Capital

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

see France

Constitution

Country name

Independence

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Legal system

French civil law

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France

Judicial branch

Executive branch

National holiday

Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)

Dependency status

overseas collectivity of France

National color(s)

red, white

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

Legislative branch

National anthem(s)

National symbol(s)

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

Administrative divisions

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

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

Budget

Industries

copra, handicrafts, fishing, timber

Exchange rates

Economic overview

a lower-middle-income, agrarian economy of a French dependency; significantly dependent on subsidies from France; grants fishing licenses to Japan and South Korea; receives substantial remittances from New Caledonia; has an aging labor force; reliant on imports; vulnerable due to deforestation

Exports - partners

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

Imports - partners

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

Agricultural products

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

Exports - commodities

seats (2023)

Imports - commodities

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

Internet users

Broadcast media

The French Overseas Network (RFO), which is publicly owned, transmits to the overseas departments, collectivities, and territories of France. This network is available on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna television and radio services (2019)

Internet country code

.wf

Telephones - fixed lines

Telephones - mobile cellular

Ports

Airports

2 (2025)

Merchant marine

Military - note

The responsibility for defense lies with France.