How many years of comparable data are there for French Polynesia and Palau?

13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.

Where does this data come from?

Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

French Polynesia vs Palau: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected

French Polynesia

87.4%

in 2025

Palau

98.0%

in 2025

French Polynesia rank

5th

Palau rank

2nd

Share of marine territorial waters that are protected over time

French Polynesia
Palau

How they compare

Palau currently reports 98.0% against 87.4% in French Polynesia, a difference of 10.6%.

That makes Palau's figure about 1.1 times French Polynesia's.

Across all 13 years both countries report, Palau has been ahead every year.

French Polynesia ranks 5th and Palau ranks 2nd of 174 countries.

Palau has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	French Polynesia	Palau	Difference	Ahead
2010s	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	Palau
2020s	14.6%	99.3%	84.8%	Palau

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher share of marine territorial waters that are protected, French Polynesia or Palau?: Palau, at 98.0% against 87.4% in French Polynesia as of 2025.
What is the difference in share of marine territorial waters that are protected between French Polynesia and Palau?: 10.6%, with Palau ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for French Polynesia and Palau?: 13 years are reported by both, from 2013 to 2025.
How do French Polynesia and Palau rank globally for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?: French Polynesia ranks 5th and Palau ranks 2nd of 174 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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French Polynesia vs Palau: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid, drawing on Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 22 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/french-polynesia/palau/

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<a href="https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas/french-polynesia/palau/">French Polynesia vs Palau: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected
Unit: % of territorial waters
Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 174 places, 2,223 data points, 2013–2025
Last refreshed: 18 September 2026

Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.