CapitalNoumea
Population307,612
Area18,575 km²
GDP per capita$34,600
LanguagesFrench , along with 33 dialects from Melanesian and Polynesian languages
CurrencyComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs
Life Expectancy79.3 yr
GovernmentParliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); it is an overseas collectivity of France.
Introduction
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 colonial authorities brutally suppressed. 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 2021, voters rejected independence 96% to 4%; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. Pro-independence parties subsequently won 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.
Geography
Area
land
18,275 sq km
water
300 sq km
total
18,575 sq km
Climate
tropical; influenced by southeast trade winds; warm, humid
Terrain
coastal lowlands with inland mountain ranges
Land use
other
41.1% (2023 est.)
forest
48.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
10.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.)
Location
Oceania, located in the South Pacific Ocean, to the east of Australia
Coastline
2,254 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mont Panie 1,628 m
Irrigated land
100 sq km (2012)
Map references
Oceania
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
cyclones, occurring most frequently between November and March
volcanic activity: Matthew and Hunter Islands have a history of volcanic activity
Geography - note
comprises the primary island of New Caledonia (one of the largest islands in the Pacific Ocean), the Iles Loyauté archipelago, and various small, sparsely inhabited islands and atolls
Natural resources
nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Area - comparative
slightly less than New Jersey in size
Geographic coordinates
21 30 S, 165 30 E
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the southern region of the main island, particularly in and around the capital city, Noumea
People & Society
Languages
Languages
French (official), along with 33 dialects from Melanesian and Polynesian languages
major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Christianity 85.2%, Islam 2.8%, other religions 1.6%, and unaffiliated individuals 10.4% (2020 estimate)
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
total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.77 male(s)/female
Birth rate
13.6 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
33.5 years
total
34.6 years (2025 est.)
female
35.1 years
Population
male
153,036
total
307,612 (2025 est.)
female
154,576
Nationality
noun
New Caledonian(s)
adjective
New Caledonian
Urbanization
urban population
72.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
20.7% (male 32,238/female 30,858)
15-64 years
68.4% (male 104,825/female 103,349)
65 years and over
10.8% (2024 est.) (male 14,326/female 18,571)
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.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
46.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
6.2 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
16.2 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Net migration rate
3.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.82 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
3.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.11% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.89 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the southern region of the main island, particularly in and near the capital, Noumea
Life expectancy at birth
male
75.4 years
female
83.3 years
total population
79.3 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
198,000 NOUMEA (capital) (2018)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
46.4% (2019 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; influenced by southeast trade winds; warm, moist
Land use
other
41.1% (2023 est.)
forest
48.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
10.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
72.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
108,200 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
conservation of coral reefs; control of invasive species; mitigation of erosion resulting from nickel mining and wildfires
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
4.887 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.312 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
2.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: This nation possesses two official flags that hold equal significance: the flag of France and the Kanak flag, which represents the Melanesian ethnic group. The Kanak flag features three equally sized horizontal stripes in blue (top), red, and green, along with a large yellow circle slightly displaced to the left, bordered in black, showcasing a black fleche faîtière symbol, a traditional roofing ornament.
Capital
name
Noumea
etymology
Initially founded in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866 to eliminate confusion with Fort-de-France located in Martinique. The name Noumea is thought to derive from the local designation of the peninsula on which the city was established.
time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
22 16 S, 166 27 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see France
Constitution
history
4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in the Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998)
amendment process
French constitution amendment procedures apply
Country name
etymology
The name was given by British explorer Captain James COOK in 1774 and derives from the Latin term for Scotland, Caledonia.
local long form
Territoire des Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances
local short form
Nouvelle-Calédonie
conventional long form
Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form
New Caledonia
Independence
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Legal system
A civil law system rooted in French civil law.
Government type
Parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); it is an overseas collectivity of France.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
The Court of Appeal, or Cour d'Appel, is structured into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers, typically comprising the court president and two counselors. The Administrative Court has an unspecified number of judges.
subordinate courts
Courts of First Instance include civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, and assizes courts, as well as a pre-trial investigation chamber; there is also a Joint Commerce Tribunal and administrative courts.
judge selection and term of office
judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (in office since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Jacques BILLANT (since 3 May 2025).
election results
2025: Alcide PONGA (The Republicans) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
2021: Louis MAPOU (PALIKA) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes
head of government
President of the Government Alcide PONGA (since 8 January 2025)
most recent election date
8 July 2021
election/appointment process
The French president is elected directly through an absolute-majority popular vote, potentially over two rounds, for a five-year term, with eligibility for a second term. The high commissioner is appointed by the French president based on recommendations from the French Ministry of Interior; the president of New Caledonia is elected by the Territorial Congress for a five-year term without term limits.
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
Dependency status
A special collectivity of France.
National color(s)
grey, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural); note - excerpted from the France entry.
selected World Heritage Site locales
Lagoons of New Caledonia
Political parties
Caledonia Together or CE
Caledonian Union or UC
Future With Confidence or AEC
Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM)
Labor Party or PT
National Union for Independence or UNI
Oceanian Awakening
Party of Kanak Liberation or PALIKA
Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS
The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP)
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
54 (indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Territorial Congress (Congrès du Territoire)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
5/12/2019
expected date of next election
December 2025
parties elected and seats per 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)
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
history
The official anthem, as a self-governing French territory.
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
National symbol(s)
flèche faîtière (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird.
National coat of arms
The emblem showcases two symbols representative of the local Kanak community: the flèche faîtière, a common roofing decoration, and the nautilus shell, symbolizing the sea. Additionally, the emblem features a stylized depiction of a New Caledonia pine tree.
Administrative divisions
Three provinces: Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province).
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of France)
International organization participation
ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.995 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures
$1.993 billion (2015 est.)
Exports
Exports 2019
$1.79 billion (2019 est.)
Exports 2020
$1.8 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$1.92 billion (2021 est.)
Imports
Imports 2019
$2.48 billion (2019 est.)
Imports 2020
$2.1 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$2.26 billion (2021 est.)
Industries
nickel extraction and processing
Labor force
130,800 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2014
6.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2020
6.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Remittances 2021
6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
6.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
104.711 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
100.88 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
113.474 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
110.347 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
110.306 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
upper-middle-income French Pacific territorial economy; vast nickel reserves; ongoing negotiations regarding French independence; significant nickel supplier to China; sought-after luxury eco-tourism destination; substantial recipient of French aid; elevated cost of living; persistent wealth inequalities
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
10.8% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
11% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
11.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 75%, Japan 9%, Taiwan 3%, India 3%, France 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
France 36%, Singapore 16%, Australia 15%, China 6%, NZ 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$33,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$35,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$34,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2020
-2.4% (2020 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021
-2.1% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.5% (2022 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, fruits, pork, beef, maize, eggs, bananas, yams, oranges (2023)
Exports - commodities
iron alloys, nickel, nickel ore, processed crustaceans, shellfish (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal, cars, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2014
-$1.3 billion (2014 est.)
Current account balance 2015
-$1.119 billion (2015 est.)
Current account balance 2016
-$654.237 million (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.129 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
65.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption
23.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.1% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital
27.9% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services
21% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services
-37.9% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
-0.5% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
0.6% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$8.678 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$8.642 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$8.469 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
30.2% (2024 est.)
total
32.7% (2024 est.)
female
35.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
22.3% (2019 est.)
services
65.2% (2019 est.)
agriculture
1.8% (2019 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
1.001 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
1.026 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
2 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
17,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
3.02 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
1.174 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
66.3 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
7.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
73.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
17.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
82% (2017 est.)
Broadcast media
the state-owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which functions within France's overseas departments and territories, transmits through the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie television and radio outlets; additionally, a limited number of privately owned radio stations are also in operation.
Internet country code
.nc
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
46,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
16 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
263,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
92 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
56,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
19 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Baie de Kouaoua, Baie Ugue, Noumea
very small
2
total ports
3 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
21 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
23 (2023)
by type
general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 17
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with France, which stations land, air, and naval forces in New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC)
Military and security forces
lacks regular military forces; Territorial Directorate of the National Police of New Caledonia (DTPN), Gendarmerie of New Caledonia (2025)
