A 1988 census counted 188,814 people living in French Polynesia.

The population has been estimated at 208 000 inhabitants in 1993, 75% of which live in the Windward Islands, 12% in the Leeward Islands, 6% in the Tuamotu archipelago, 4% in the Marquesas Islands and 3% in the Australs Islands.

Life expectancy has been steadily increasing and now reaches 70 years.

Tahiti has 131,309 inhabitants, comprised of 83% Polynesians, 11,5% Europeans, 4,3% Asians and 8% of mixed races.

More than half the population is under the age of 20. Generally speaking, the Tahitians are a handsome people known for their hospitality, friendliness and easy going approach to life.