New Caledonia - NC - NCL - Australia and Oceania
Last updated: April 17, 2024
New Caledonia Images
In 2008, UNESCO added the Lagoons of New Caledonia to the World Heritage Site list. The Lagoons comprise six marine clusters that represent the main diversity of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in the French Pacific Ocean archipelago of New Caledonia and one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world. These Lagoons feature a remarkable diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses with the world's most diverse concentration of reef structures. The Lagoons of New Caledonia display intact ecosystems, with healthy populations of large predators, and a great number and diversity of big fish. They provide habitat to a number of emblematic or threatened marine species such as turtles, whales, and dugongs whose population here is the third largest in the world. Photo courtesy of NASA.
View of the northern portion of New Caledonia. The world's second largest barrier reef encircles the island. Image courtesy of NASA.
This image shows details of New Caledonia's main city, Noumea, which is built on a peninsula that juts into the lagoon on the southwest side of the island. The reefs here face problems from pollution and overfishing. The tourism industry is very important to the economy of Noumea, with extensive hotel development in the city and along the southeast coast of New Caledonia Island. The picture shows how urban development extends to the steep slopes of the coastal hills. Image courtesy of NASA.
The harbor at Noumea. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Sgt. Douglas D. Simons.
In 2008, UNESCO added the Lagoons of New Caledonia to the World Heritage Site list. The Lagoons comprise six marine clusters that represent the main diversity of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in the French Pacific Ocean archipelago of New Caledonia and one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world. These Lagoons feature a remarkable diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses with the world's most diverse concentration of reef structures. The Lagoons of New Caledonia display intact ecosystems, with healthy populations of large predators, and a great number and diversity of big fish. They provide habitat to a number of emblematic or threatened marine species such as turtles, whales, and dugongs whose population here is the third largest in the world. Photo courtesy of NASA.
View of the northern portion of New Caledonia. The world's second largest barrier reef encircles the island. Image courtesy of NASA.
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New Caledonia Factbook Data
Dependency status
special collectivity (or a sui generis collectivity) of France since 1998; note - independence referenda took place on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021 with a majority voting in each case to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (overseas territory of France)
Age structure
0-14 years: 20.96% (male 32,199/female 30,825)
15-64 years: 68.45% (male 103,611/female 102,208)
65 years and over: 10.59% (2023 est.) (male 13,914/female 17,925)
15-64 years: 68.45% (male 103,611/female 102,208)
65 years and over: 10.59% (2023 est.) (male 13,914/female 17,925)
This is the population pyramid for New Caledonia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
Geographic coordinates
21 30 S, 165 30 E
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Heliports
2 (2024)
Natural hazards
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Background
The first humans settled in New Caledonia around 1600 B.C. The Lapita were skilled navigators and evidence of their pottery around the Pacific has served as a guide for understanding human expansion in the region. Successive waves of migrants from other islands in Melanesia intermarried with the Lapita, giving rise to the Kanak ethnic group considered indigenous to New Caledonia. British explorer James COOK was the first European to visit New Caledonia in 1774, giving it the Latin name for Scotland. Missionaries first landed in New Caledonia in 1840. In 1853, France annexed New Caledonia to preclude any British attempt to claim the island. France declared it a penal colony in 1864 and sent more than 20,000 prisoners to New Caledonia in the ensuing three decades.
Nickel was discovered in 1864 and French prisoners were directed to mine it. France brought in indentured servants and enslaved labor from elsewhere in Southeast Asia to work the mines, blocking Kanaks from accessing the most profitable part of the local economy. In 1878, High Chief ATAI led a rebellion against French rule. The Kanaks were relegated to reservations, leading to periodic smaller uprisings and culminating in a large revolt in 1917 that was brutally suppressed by colonial authorities. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops, and the US moved its South Pacific headquarters to the island in 1942. Following the war, France made New Caledonia an overseas territory and granted French citizenship to all inhabitants in 1953, thereby permitting the Kanaks to move off the reservations.
The Kanak nationalist movement began in the 1950s, but most voters chose to remain a territory in an independence referendum in 1958. The European population of New Caledonia boomed in the 1970s with a renewed focus on nickel mining, reigniting Kanak nationalism. Key Kanak leaders were assassinated in the early 1980s, leading to escalating violence and dozens of fatalities. The Matignon Accords of 1988 provided for a 10-year transition period. The Noumea Accord of 1998 transferred increasing governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia over a 20-year period and provided for three independence referenda. In the first held in 2018, voters rejected independence by 57% to 43%; in the second held in 2020, voters rejected independence 53% to 47%. In the third referendum held in December 2021, voters rejected independence 96% to 4%; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. In February 2021, pro-independence parties gained a majority in the New Caledonian Government for the first time. France and New Caledonia officials remain in talks about the status of the territory.
Nickel was discovered in 1864 and French prisoners were directed to mine it. France brought in indentured servants and enslaved labor from elsewhere in Southeast Asia to work the mines, blocking Kanaks from accessing the most profitable part of the local economy. In 1878, High Chief ATAI led a rebellion against French rule. The Kanaks were relegated to reservations, leading to periodic smaller uprisings and culminating in a large revolt in 1917 that was brutally suppressed by colonial authorities. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops, and the US moved its South Pacific headquarters to the island in 1942. Following the war, France made New Caledonia an overseas territory and granted French citizenship to all inhabitants in 1953, thereby permitting the Kanaks to move off the reservations.
The Kanak nationalist movement began in the 1950s, but most voters chose to remain a territory in an independence referendum in 1958. The European population of New Caledonia boomed in the 1970s with a renewed focus on nickel mining, reigniting Kanak nationalism. Key Kanak leaders were assassinated in the early 1980s, leading to escalating violence and dozens of fatalities. The Matignon Accords of 1988 provided for a 10-year transition period. The Noumea Accord of 1998 transferred increasing governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia over a 20-year period and provided for three independence referenda. In the first held in 2018, voters rejected independence by 57% to 43%; in the second held in 2020, voters rejected independence 53% to 47%. In the third referendum held in December 2021, voters rejected independence 96% to 4%; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. In February 2021, pro-independence parties gained a majority in the New Caledonian Government for the first time. France and New Caledonia officials remain in talks about the status of the territory.
Environment - current issues
preservation of coral reefs; prevention of invasive species; limiting erosion caused by nickel mining and forest fires
Population below poverty line
17% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Exports - commodities
iron alloys, nickel, essential oils, recreational boats, shrimp (2021)
Exports - partners
China 55%, South Korea 16%, Japan 11%, Taiwan 4%, Spain 3% (2021)
Administrative divisions
3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province)
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, maize, fruit, beef, pork, potatoes, bananas, eggs, yams
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; France bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC) (2024)
Budget
revenues: $1.995 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $1.993 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $1.993 billion (2015 est.)
Capital
name: Noumea
geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: established in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866, in order to avoid any confusion with Fort-de-France in Martinique; the New Caledonian language of Ndrumbea (also spelled Ndumbea, Dubea, and Drubea) spoken in the area gave its name to the capital city, Noumea, as well as to the neighboring town (suburb) of Dumbea
geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: established in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866, in order to avoid any confusion with Fort-de-France in Martinique; the New Caledonian language of Ndrumbea (also spelled Ndumbea, Dubea, and Drubea) spoken in the area gave its name to the capital city, Noumea, as well as to the neighboring town (suburb) of Dumbea
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal, cars, packaged medicines, delivery trucks (2021)
Climate
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Coastline
2,254 km
Constitution
history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in the Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998)
amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply
amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply
Exchange rates
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
113.474 (2022 est.)
100.88 (2021 est.)
104.711 (2020 est.)
106.589 (2019 est.)
101.047 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates:
113.474 (2022 est.)
100.88 (2021 est.)
104.711 (2020 est.)
106.589 (2019 est.)
101.047 (2018 est.)
Executive branch
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Louise LEFRANC (since 6 February 2023)
head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 22 July 2021); Vice President Isabelle CHAMPMOREAU (since 22 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress
elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 8 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026)
election results:
2021: Louis MAPOU (PALIKA) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
2019: Thierry SANTA (The Republicans) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 22 July 2021); Vice President Isabelle CHAMPMOREAU (since 22 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress
elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 8 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026)
election results:
2021: Louis MAPOU (PALIKA) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
2019: Thierry SANTA (The Republicans) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
Fiscal year
calendar year
Flag description
New Caledonia has two official flags; alongside the flag of France, the Kanak (indigenous Melanesian) flag has equal status; the latter consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a large yellow disk - diameter two-thirds the height of the flag - shifted slightly to the hoist side is edged in black and displays a black fleche faitiere symbol, a native rooftop adornment
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France); note - in three independence referenda, on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021, the majority voted to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place
Industries
nickel mining and smelting
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeal in Noumea or Cour d'Appel; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; court bench normally includes the court president and 2 counselors); Administrative Court (number of judges NA); note - final appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (in Paris); final appeals beyond the Administrative Court are referred to the Administrative Court of Appeal (in Paris)
judge selection and term of office: judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system
subordinate courts: Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts
judge selection and term of office: judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system
subordinate courts: Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 10.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 45.9% (2018 est.)
other: 43.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 45.9% (2018 est.)
other: 43.7% (2018 est.)
Legal system
civil law system based on French civil law
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.9%
male: 97.3%
female: 96.5% (2015)
total population: 96.9%
male: 97.3%
female: 96.5% (2015)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
International organization participation
ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO
National holiday
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
Nationality
noun: New Caledonian(s)
adjective: New Caledonian
adjective: New Caledonian
Natural resources
nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Geography - note
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
Economic overview
upper-middle-income French Pacific territorial economy; enormous nickel reserves; ongoing French independence negotiations; large Chinese nickel exporter; luxury eco-tourism destination; large French aid recipient; high cost-of-living; lingering wealth disparities
Political parties and leaders
Caledonia Together or CE [Philippe GOMES]
Caledonian Union or UC [Daniel GOA]
Future With Confidence or AEC [Virginie RUFFENACH]
Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) [Victor TUTUGORO]
Labor Party or PT [Louis Kotra UREGEI]
National Union for Independence or UNI [Louis MAPOU]
Oceanian Awakening [Milakulo TUKUMULI]
Party of Kanak Liberation or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]
Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Basile CITRE]
The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) [Sonia BACKES]
Caledonian Union or UC [Daniel GOA]
Future With Confidence or AEC [Virginie RUFFENACH]
Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) [Victor TUTUGORO]
Labor Party or PT [Louis Kotra UREGEI]
National Union for Independence or UNI [Louis MAPOU]
Oceanian Awakening [Milakulo TUKUMULI]
Party of Kanak Liberation or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]
Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Basile CITRE]
The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) [Sonia BACKES]
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Noumea
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: New Caledonia’s telecom sector provides fixed and mobile voice services, mobile internet, fixed broadband access, and wholesale services for other ISPs; the territory is well serviced by extensive 3G and LTE networks, and is considered to have one of the highest smartphone adoption rates in the Pacific region; by 2025, smart phone penetration is expected to reach 71%; while DSL is still the dominant fixed broadband technology, and a nationwide FttP network; the South Pacific region has become a hub for submarine cable system developments in recent years, with further networks scheduled to come online later in 2021 and into 2022; these new cables are expected to increase competition in the region with regards to international capacity; in 2020, the government owned telco commissioned Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the Gondwana-2 cable system to provide additional network capacity and complement the Gondwana-1 cable (2022)
domestic: fixed-line is 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 90 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 687; landing points for the Gondwana-1 and Picot-1 providing connectivity via submarine cables around New Caledonia and to Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)
domestic: fixed-line is 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 90 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 687; landing points for the Gondwana-1 and Picot-1 providing connectivity via submarine cables around New Caledonia and to Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)
Terrain
coastal plains with interior mountains
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form: New Caledonia
local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
etymology: British explorer Captain James COOK discovered and named New Caledonia in 1774; he used the appellation because the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland (Caledonia is the Latin designation for Scotland)
conventional short form: New Caledonia
local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
etymology: British explorer Captain James COOK discovered and named New Caledonia in 1774; he used the appellation because the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland (Caledonia is the Latin designation for Scotland)
Location
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Irrigated land
100 sq km (2012)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Internet country code
.nc
GDP (official exchange rate)
$9.623 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Urbanization
urban population: 72.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Broadcast media
the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast
Drinking water source
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99.3% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.)
rural: NA
total: 99.3% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.)
National anthem
name: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)
lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)
note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)
note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Major urban areas - population
198,000 NOUMEA (capital) (2018)
Physicians density
NA
National symbol(s)
fleche faitiere (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird; national colors: gray, red
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 64.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 24% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 38.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 18.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -45.5% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 24% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 38.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 18.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -45.5% (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 49.6
youth dependency ratio: 33.6
elderly dependency ratio: 16
potential support ratio: 6.3 (2021 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 33.6
elderly dependency ratio: 16
potential support ratio: 6.3 (2021 est.)
Citizenship
see France
Population distribution
most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2021)
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) (registered in France)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15 (registered in France)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15 (registered in France)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
Kanak 39.1%, European 27.1%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.2%, Tahitian 2.1%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1%, Vietnamese 0.9%, other 17.7%, unspecified 2.5% (2014 est.)
Religions
Christian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.)
Languages
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
French audio sample
Imports - partners
France 39%, Australia 14%, Singapore 11%, New Zealand 7%, China 7% (2021)
Disputes - international
New Caledonia-France-Vanuatu: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu
Elevation
highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Current health expenditure
NA
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 108,157 tons (2016 est.)
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 5.33 megatons (2016 est.)
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural); note - excerpted from the France entry
selected World Heritage Site locales: Lagoons of New Caledonia
selected World Heritage Site locales: Lagoons of New Caledonia
Coal
production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
consumption: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 91.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Natural gas
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.9 (2023 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
22.5% (2023 est.)
Remittances
6.45% of GDP (2022 est.)
6.17% of GDP (2021 est.)
6.57% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
6.17% of GDP (2021 est.)
6.57% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Labor force
119,000 (2022 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 41% (2021 est.)
male: 39.2%
female: 43.2%
male: 39.2%
female: 43.2%
Net migration rate
3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia
Median age
total: 33.9 years (2023 est.)
male: 33.1 years
female: 34.8 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 34.8 years
Debt - external
$112 million (31 December 2013 est.)
$79 million (31 December 1998 est.)
$79 million (31 December 1998 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
19,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Public debt
6.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
6.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
6.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.84 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate
11.03% (2022 est.)
12.55% (2021 est.)
13.56% (2020 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
12.55% (2021 est.)
13.56% (2020 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Population
300,682 (2023 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
0% (of GDP) (2015 est.)
Internet users
total: 237,800 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 82% (2021 est.)
percent of population: 82% (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
5.886 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Area
total: 18,575 sq km
land: 18,275 sq km
water: 300 sq km
land: 18,275 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Taxes and other revenues
20.4% (of GDP) (2015 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$10.266 billion (2021 est.)
$11.11 billion (2017 est.)
$10.89 billion (2016 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
$11.11 billion (2017 est.)
$10.89 billion (2016 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
Roadways
total: 5,622 km (2006)
Airports
21 (2024)
Infant mortality rate
total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 260,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.4% (2017 est.)
0.58% (2016 est.)
0.57% (2015 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
0.58% (2016 est.)
0.57% (2015 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Current account balance
-$654.237 million (2016 est.)
-$1.119 billion (2015 est.)
-$1.3 billion (2014 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
-$1.119 billion (2015 est.)
-$1.3 billion (2014 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Real GDP per capita
$35,700 (2021 est.)
$31,100 (2015 est.)
$32,100 (2014 est.)
$31,100 (2015 est.)
$32,100 (2014 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 55,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
0 Btu/person (2019 est.)
Death rate
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Birth rate
14 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.071 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 2,940,707,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 64.293 million kWh (2019 est.)
consumption: 2,940,707,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 64.293 million kWh (2019 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 23 (2023)
by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 17
by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 17
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Imports
$2.26 billion (2021 est.)
$2.1 billion (2020 est.)
$2.48 billion (2019 est.)
$2.1 billion (2020 est.)
$2.48 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
$1.92 billion (2021 est.)
$1.8 billion (2020 est.)
$1.79 billion (2019 est.)
$1.8 billion (2020 est.)
$1.79 billion (2019 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 46,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.1 years (2023 est.)
male: 75.2 years
female: 83.1 years
male: 75.2 years
female: 83.1 years
Real GDP growth rate
3.5% (2022 est.)
-2.1% (2021 est.)
-2.4% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
-2.1% (2021 est.)
-2.4% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Industrial production growth rate
4.3% (2014 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1.4% (2017 est.)
industry: 26.4% (2017 est.)
services: 72.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 26.4% (2017 est.)
services: 72.1% (2017 est.)
Education expenditures
NA
Population growth rate
1.17% (2023 est.)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congrès du Territoire (54 seats; members indirectly selected proportionally by the partisan makeup of the 3 Provincial Assemblies or Assemblés Provinciales; members of the 3 Provincial Assemblies directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population, which rules on laws affecting the indigenous population
New Caledonia indirectly elects 2 members to the French Senate by an electoral colleges for a 6-year term with one seat renewed every 3 years and directly elects 2 members to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term
elections:
Territorial Congress - last held on 12 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)
French Senate - election last held on 24 September 2023 (next to be held on 30 September 2026)
French National Assembly - election last held on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held by June 2027)
election results:
Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26)
French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CE 2
New Caledonia indirectly elects 2 members to the French Senate by an electoral colleges for a 6-year term with one seat renewed every 3 years and directly elects 2 members to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term
elections:
Territorial Congress - last held on 12 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)
French Senate - election last held on 24 September 2023 (next to be held on 30 September 2026)
French National Assembly - election last held on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held by June 2027)
election results:
Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26)
French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CE 2