How does Wallis and Futuna earn revenue despite having few natural resources?

Wallis and Futuna is a resource-poor territory where the local economy relies heavily on external support and specific administrative revenue streams rather than large-scale exports. Because traditional customs often prioritize bartering over selling produce, the majority of the population engages in subsistence farming and small-scale fishing to meet immediate family needs.1

To generate necessary revenue, the territory utilizes the following sources:

• French Government Subsidies: As an overseas collectivity of France, the territory receives significant financial support from the French government.1
• Licensing Fees: The government earns income by licensing fishing rights in its waters to companies from Japan and South Korea.1
• Import Taxes: Revenue is generated through taxes levied on imported goods.1
• Remittances: A vital source of income comes from money sent home by expatriate workers living in New Caledonia.1

Additionally, the government serves as the largest single employer on the islands, providing a primary source of stability for the local workforce.1