World Factbook
Wallis and Futuna
Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: unofficial local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; a small flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper-left corner meaning: the triangles represent the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator history: the design is derived from a red flag with a white cross that French missionaries introduced in the 19th century
note: the flag of France is used for official occasions
Capital
name
Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
time difference
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 57 S, 171 56 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see France
Constitution
history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendment process
French constitution amendment procedures apply
Country name
former
Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands
etymology
Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS, who visited in 1767; Futuna is a local name, and the meaning is unclear
local long form
Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form
Wallis et Futuna
conventional long form
Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form
Wallis and Futuna
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Legal system
French civil law
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France
Judicial branch
note
note 1: appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia) note 2: justice is generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law
highest court(s)
Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases)
subordinate courts
courts of first instance; labor court
judge selection and term of office
NA
Executive branch
note
note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers
cabinet
Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Jean-François de MANHEULLE (since 17 November 2025)
head of government
President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since 20 March 2022)
election/appointment process
French president elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); administrator superior appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
note: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)
Dependency status
overseas collectivity of France
National color(s)
red, white
Political parties
Left Radical Party or PRG (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR Socialist Party or PS Taumu'a Lelei Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF
Legislative branch
note
note: 1 senator is indirectly elected to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy is directly elected to the French National Assembly for a 5-year term
term in office
5 years
number of seats
20 (directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Territorial Assembly (Assemblée territoriale)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/20/2022
parties elected and seats per party
Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua (2); Mauli fetokoniaki (2); 1 seat each from 16 other lists
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
history
official anthem, as a French territory
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National symbol(s)
red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field
Administrative divisions
3 administrative precincts ( circonscriptions , singular - circonscription ) Alo, Sigave, Uvea
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (overseas collectivity of France)
International organization participation
PIF (observer), SPC, UPU