| Economy - overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the
region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a high
proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist
industry. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard
currency earnings. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural
products. The territory benefited from a five-year (1994-98) development agreement with
France aimed principally at creating new jobs. GDP: purchasing power parity -
$2.6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.5% (1997 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,800 (1997 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 18%
services: 78% (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)
Labor force: 70,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $1 billion
expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996)
Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts
Electricity - production: 430 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 51.16%
hydro: 48.84%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
Agriculture - products: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Exports: $205 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: cultured pearls 50%, coconut products, mother-of-pearl,
vanilla, shark meat (1997)
Exports - partners: Japan 62%, US 21% (1999)
Imports: $749 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment
Imports - partners: France 53%, US 13%, Australia 10% (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $367 million (1997)
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
SOURCE: The World Factbook |