Population
French Polynesia is higher
French Polynesia records 281,807, about 1.29× the other value.
Country comparison
French PolynesiavsSamoa
See the biggest differences first, then scan the geographic, economic, and practical reference data.
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
French Polynesia is higher
French Polynesia records 3,471 km², about 1.22× the other value.
Nominal GDP
French Polynesia is higher
French Polynesia records $6.32 billion, about 5.38× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇵🇫 French Polynesia281,807
🇼🇸 Samoa218,019
French Polynesia’s population is 29% larger than that of Samoa, a difference of 63,788.
Surface area
🇵🇫 French Polynesia3,471 km²
🇼🇸 Samoa2,840 km²
French Polynesia’s surface area is 22% larger than that of Samoa, a difference of 631 km².
Population density
🇵🇫 French Polynesia81.2 /km²
🇼🇸 Samoa76.8 /km²
French Polynesia’s population density is 5.8% higher than that of Samoa, a difference of 4.4 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇵🇫 French Polynesia$6.32 billion · 2024
🇼🇸 Samoa$1.18 billion · 2024
French Polynesia’s nominal GDP is 438% larger than that of Samoa, a difference of $5.15 billion.
GDP per capita
🇵🇫 French Polynesia$22,440 · 2024
🇼🇸 Samoa$5,393 · 2024
French Polynesia’s GDP per capita is 316% higher than that of Samoa, a difference of $17,047.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Full side-by-side comparison
Capital
Papeete
Apia
Population
281,807
218,019
Surface area
3,471 km²
2,840 km²
Population density
81.2 /km²
76.8 /km²
Nominal GDP
$6.32 billion · 2024
$1.18 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$22,440 · 2024
$5,393 · 2024
Region
Oceania
Oceania
Subregion
Polynesia
Polynesia
Currency
CFP franc · XPF · ₣
Samoan tālā · WST · SAT
Nationality
French Polynesia
Samoan
Phone code
+689
+685
Internet domain
.pf
.ws
ISO codes
PF / PYF
WS / WSM
Time zone
Pacific/Gambier, Pacific/Marquesas (+1 more)
Pacific/Apia
Native name
Polynésie française
Samoa
| Measure | French Polynesia | Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Papeete | Apia |
| Population | 281,807 | 218,019 |
| Surface area | 3,471 km² | 2,840 km² |
| Population density | 81.2 /km² | 76.8 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $6.32 billion · 2024 | $1.18 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $22,440 · 2024 | $5,393 · 2024 |
| Region | Oceania | Oceania |
| Subregion | Polynesia | Polynesia |
| Currency | CFP franc · XPF · ₣ | Samoan tālā · WST · SAT |
| Nationality | French Polynesia | Samoan |
| Phone code | +689 | +685 |
| Internet domain | .pf | .ws |
| ISO codes | PF / PYF | WS / WSM |
| Time zone | Pacific/Gambier, Pacific/Marquesas (+1 more) | Pacific/Apia |
| Native name | Polynésie française | Samoa |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a breathtaking archipelago of volcanic islands scattered across the South Pacific, famed for its turquoise lagoons, dramatic cliffs, and a unique blend of Polynesian charm and French elegance.
Full French Polynesia profile →About Samoa
Samoa is a Polynesian nation in the central South Pacific, made up of two main islands and several smaller ones. Often called the cradle of Polynesia, it is a place where ancient customs, expressed through the cultural code known as faaSamoa, remain central to everyday life. Lush, volcanic and surrounded by reef, it pairs natural beauty with deep tradition.
Full Samoa profile →French Polynesia & Samoa: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of French Polynesia?
The capital of French Polynesia is Papeete.
What is the population of French Polynesia?
French Polynesia has a recorded population of approximately 281,807 people.
How big is French Polynesia?
French Polynesia covers an area of about 3,471 km².
What is the population density of French Polynesia?
French Polynesia has a population density of roughly 81.2 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of French Polynesia?
French Polynesia has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $6.32 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of French Polynesia?
French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of approximately $22,440.
What currency is used in French Polynesia?
French Polynesia uses the CFP franc (XPF), with the symbol ₣.
Where is French Polynesia located?
French Polynesia is located in Polynesia, Oceania.
What is the native name of French Polynesia?
The native name of French Polynesia is Polynésie française.
What are people from French Polynesia called?
People from French Polynesia are referred to as French Polynesia.
What is the phone calling code for French Polynesia?
The international dialing code for French Polynesia is +689.
What is the internet domain for French Polynesia?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for French Polynesia is .pf.
What time zone is French Polynesia in?
French Polynesia spans 3 time zones including Pacific/Gambier, Pacific/Marquesas, Pacific/Tahiti.
What is French Polynesia known for?
French Polynesia is a breathtaking archipelago of volcanic islands scattered across the South Pacific, famed for its turquoise lagoons, dramatic cliffs, and a unique blend of Polynesian charm and French elegance.
What is the capital of Samoa?
The capital of Samoa is Apia.
What is the population of Samoa?
Samoa has a recorded population of approximately 218,019 people.
How big is Samoa?
Samoa covers an area of about 2,840 km².
What is the population density of Samoa?
Samoa has a population density of roughly 76.8 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Samoa?
Samoa has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.18 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Samoa?
Samoa has a GDP per capita of approximately $5,393.
What currency is used in Samoa?
Samoa uses the Samoan tālā (WST), with the symbol SAT.
Where is Samoa located?
Samoa is located in Polynesia, Oceania.
What are people from Samoa called?
People from Samoa are referred to as Samoan.
What is the phone calling code for Samoa?
The international dialing code for Samoa is +685.
What is the internet domain for Samoa?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Samoa is .ws.
What time zone is Samoa in?
Samoa uses the Pacific/Apia time zone.
What is Samoa known for?
Samoa is a Polynesian nation in the central South Pacific, made up of two main islands and several smaller ones. Often called the cradle of Polynesia, it is a place where ancient customs, expressed through the cultural code known as faaSamoa, remain central to everyday life. Lush, volcanic and surrounded by reef, it pairs natural beauty with deep tradition.