French Polynesia Industry Employment

French Polynesia’s share of employment in industry stood at 14.33 percent in 2025, ranking 39th globally and matching the level observed in Côte d'Ivoire, while slightly below Puerto Rico’s 14.72 percent. Over a 35-year period since 1991, the territory has experienced a gradual contraction in industrial employment, which peaked at 17.39 percent in 2004 before entering a sustained decline. The 2025 figure marks an all-time trough, reflecting a long-term shift away from industry as a major employer. This downward trajectory contrasts with earlier decades when industrial sectors, including construction and manufacturing, played a relatively larger role in labor absorption. The current level is also below the 15.99 percent recorded in 1991, underscoring a persistent structural transformation toward services, consistent with broader patterns in small island economies. Given French Polynesia’s geographic constraints and limited industrial base, further declines may stabilize if tourism-related infrastructure projects spur construction activity or if value-added processing of marine and agricultural resources expands. Absent targeted investment in industrial diversification, however, the downward trend is likely to persist.