French Polynesia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for French Polynesia
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated December 2, 2024
French Polynesia recorded 0.4 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2009, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places French Polynesia #186 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Oceania average of 5.9 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.1 per 100,000 in 2006, 0.4 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates French Polynesia at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
0.4 /100k
Safety Rank
#10 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2009
Homicide Rate Trend (2006-2009)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.1 per 100,000 in 2006, 0.4 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How French Polynesia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for French Polynesia:
Reissued after periodic review without changes Exercise normal precautions in French Polynesia. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to French Polynesia. If you decide to travel to French Polynesia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter . Review the Country Security Report for French Polynesia. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
French Polynesia Population & Demographics
Population of 281,807, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is French Polynesia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates French Polynesia at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 0.4 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in French Polynesia?
French Polynesia has an intentional homicide rate of 0.4 per 100,000 people (2009, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #186 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in French Polynesia compare to other countries?
French Polynesia's homicide rate of 0.4 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Oceania average of 5.9.