Traditional performers and dancers take part in a cultural show for visiting French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) at a stadium during his visit to Atuona on Hiva Oa, the second largest island of the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Photo: Ludovic MARIN / AFP
The latest census for French Polynesia shows an increase in population over the past five years, but the rise has slowed down compared to previous surveys.
The data shows there are 278,786 inhabitants living in the archipelago.
In the past five years the population has increased by 1.01 percent - about 570 additional people per year.
In 2017, there were 275,918 inhabitants, a 2.9 percent increase from the 2012 census.
It also shows an ageing population with people living longer than before.
Reasons for this small increase include lower birth rates and migration.
Not all areas are experiencing the same rate of change in population, however.
The Marquesas Islands counted 130 more inhabitants, and the Leeward Islands are on a slow increase as well.
The Austral Islands have suffered a loss of 370 people while the Tuamotu archipelago fell by 0.9 percent due to the closing of numerous pearl farms.
In 1977, 73.8 percent of French Polynesia lived on Tahiti, but that is now 75.3 percent.
Based on the data, 13 percent of the population lives in the Leeward islands, 6 percent in the Tuamotu archipelago, 4 percent in the Marquesas, and 2 percent on the Austral Islands.
The statistics will be finished and released by the start of next year.
The census took place between August 18 and September 17 with 740 census agents going door-to-door across the territory.
Some agents reported being bitten by dogs or violently turned away during the census.
This year alone, 15 severe bites have been reported compared to just two in 2017.