Environment—current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: both island groups have fringing reefs
People
Population: 15,129 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA%
Population growth rate: 1.04% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.34 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)