Country Profile: New Caledonia

New Caledonia, located in the South Pacific east of Australia, is an overseas collectivity of France known for its tropical climate and diverse geography, which includes coastal plains and mountainous terrain. As of 2024, it has a population of approximately 304,167, predominantly settled in the southern part of the main island around the capital, Noumea. The economy is primarily driven by nickel mining, with New Caledonia holding significant reserves, while also being supported by tourism and French aid. Governance operates as a parliamentary democracy within the French political framework, navigating complex independence discussions influenced by the indigenous Kanak population.

Geography

New Caledonia consists of the main island and several smaller islands, featuring a tropical climate modified by southeast trade winds. It has a total area of 18,575 square kilometers with a coastline of 2,254 kilometers. The terrain includes coastal plains and interior mountains, with Mont Panie being the highest point at 1,628 meters.

18,575 sq km: Total area.
2,254 km: Length of the coastline.
12 nm: Territorial sea claim.
200 nm: Exclusive economic zone.
45.8%: Forest cover (2022).
10.1%: Agricultural land (2022).
300 sq km: Area covered by water.

People and Society

The population of New Caledonia is ethnically diverse, comprising approximately 39.1% Kanak, 27.1% European, and smaller percentages of other ethnic groups. The official language is French, and the predominant religion is Christianity. The population is characterized by a youthful age structure, with a median age of 34.3 years.

304,167: Estimated total population (2024).
20.7%: Population aged 0-14 years.
68.4%: Population aged 15-64 years.
79.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
1.14%: Population growth rate (2024).
72.7%: Urban population (2023).
4.8 deaths/1,000 live births: Infant mortality rate (2024).

Economy

New Caledonia has an upper-middle-income economy heavily reliant on nickel mining, which constitutes a significant portion of its exports. The economy has faced challenges amid ongoing negotiations concerning its independence status, and disparities in wealth remain an issue. The GDP was estimated at $9.623 billion in 2022, with a growth rate of 3.5% in 2022.

$9.623 billion: GDP at official exchange rate (2022).
3.5%: GDP growth rate (2022).
11.2%: Unemployment rate (2024).
130,800: Labor force (2024).
30.2%: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24, 2024).
$1.92 billion: Total exports (2021).
$2.26 billion: Total imports (2021).

Government

As a parliamentary democracy and overseas collectivity of France, New Caledonia has a territorial congress and a president elected by its members. The political landscape has been shaped by recent independence referenda, with the most recent vote in 2021 rejecting independence by 96%. The local capital is Noumea.

Capital: Noumea.
54: Seats in the Territorial Congress.
18 years: Age for universal suffrage.
Next election: Expected in December 2025.
High Commissioner: Jacques Billant (since May 2025).
President: Alcide Ponga (since January 2025).
3 provinces: Islands Province, North Province, South Province.

Military and Security

New Caledonia does not maintain regular military forces, as defense is the responsibility of France. Local security is managed by the Territorial Directorate of the National Police and the Gendarmerie.

0: Regular military forces.
DTPN and Gendarmerie: Local security forces.
FANC: French armed forces based in New Caledonia.

Energy

The energy landscape of New Caledonia is largely based on fossil fuels, accounting for a substantial proportion of electricity generation. The installed generating capacity is 1.174 million kW. The territory boasts 100% access to electricity for its population.

100%: Electrification of the total population (2022).
3.02 billion kWh: Electricity consumption (2023).
73.8%: Fossil fuels as a percentage of total installed capacity (2023).
1.174 million kW: Installed generating capacity (2023).
4.887 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023).

Transportation

New Caledonia has a network of transportation options, including 21 airports and several ports. The merchant marine consists of 23 vessels, enabling regional and international trade.

21: Airports (2025).
23: Merchant marine vessels (2023).
3: Total ports (2024).
2: Heliports (2025).
1: Key port with oil terminal.

Communications

The communication infrastructure includes a mix of fixed and mobile telephony, with a high percentage of internet users. The fixed-line subscriptions are modest compared to mobile cellular connections.

82%: Proportion of the population using the internet (2017).
46,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2021).
260,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2021).
56,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	304,167	Estimated (2024)
Area	18,575 sq km	Total area
GDP	$9.623 billion	Estimated (2022)
Unemployment Rate	11.2%	Estimated (2024)
Birth Rate	13.8 births/1,000 population	Estimated (2024)
Life Expectancy	79.3 years	Estimated (2024)
Electricity Access	100%	Total population (2022)
Labor Force	130,800	Estimated (2024)
Urban Population	72.7%	Estimated (2023)
Infant Mortality Rate	4.8 deaths/1,000 live births	Estimated (2024)