Figures released in French Polynesia show more people are leaving the territory than arriving, with the pace quickening.
From 2007 to 2012, the census figures note a deficit of more than 7,500 people, which is almost six times bigger than in the preceding five years.
There is no explanation for the movements yet but there are suggestions that fewer people chose to retire in French Polynesia and fewer students returned from studies overseas because of the poor job market.
Internal migration shows that Papeete lost 13,000 residents over five years and has been surpassed by Punaauia as the territory's second biggest town.
The Marquesas and the Austral islands registered population increases.