What is the population of New Caledonia in 2026?
New Caledonia has a population of 295,333 people (2025 estimate), which is 185th in the world and about 0.00% of the global total.
Population 2025
295,333
0.00% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+0.92%
+2,705 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
16/km²
18,280 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
34.5 years
Life expectancy 78.9 years
Our World in Data, 2025About New Caledonia
With a population of 295,333, New Caledonia ranks 183rd globally and spans 18,280 km² across Oceania. The territory established in 1853 maintains a low population density of 16 people per km², with 68% of residents concentrated in urban areas. The median age of 34.5 years reflects a relatively mature demographic, supported by a life expectancy of 78.9 years and fertility rate of 2 births per woman.
Annual population growth stands at 0.9%, indicating slow expansion. The GDP per capita of $29,213 places the economy among the region's stronger performers. French is the primary language, and the CFP franc serves as the official currency. The capital city is Nouméa.
This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Nouméa
- Continent
- Oceania
- ISO codes
- NC · NCL
- Demonym
- New Caledonian
- Currency
- CFP franc (XPF ₣)
- State inception
- 1853
- Time zone
- UTC+11:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +687
- Internet TLD
- .nc
- Land neighbours
- No land borders
Languages
- French
Demographics
Economy
Not published for New Caledonia: Poverty Rate, Gini Index.
Health
Not published for New Caledonia: Infant Mortality, Health Spending, Hospital Beds, Maternal Mortality, Obesity Rate.
Education
Not published for New Caledonia: Education Spending, Mean Years of Schooling.
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
None of our sources publish these indicators for New Caledonia.
Geography
Military
None of our sources publish these indicators for New Caledonia.
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 21.3%
- Age 15–64
- 67.3%
- Age 65+
- 11.4%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 1 | 9 |
| 95-99 | 30 | 98 |
| 90-94 | 188 | 448 |
| 85-89 | 745 | 1,169 |
| 80-84 | 1,761 | 2,349 |
| 75-79 | 3,232 | 3,456 |
| 70-74 | 4,167 | 4,445 |
| 65-69 | 5,436 | 5,904 |
| 60-64 | 7,196 | 7,455 |
| 55-59 | 8,565 | 8,924 |
| 50-54 | 9,777 | 10,254 |
| 45-49 | 9,370 | 10,086 |
| 40-44 | 10,109 | 10,489 |
| 35-39 | 10,590 | 10,940 |
| 30-34 | 10,399 | 10,725 |
| 25-29 | 9,630 | 9,620 |
| 20-24 | 10,665 | 10,738 |
| 15-19 | 10,764 | 10,556 |
| 10-14 | 10,646 | 10,383 |
| 5-9 | 10,449 | 10,151 |
| 0-4 | 10,634 | 10,088 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 63,790 |
| 1960 | 79,819 |
| 1970 | 109,338 |
| 1980 | 149,817 |
| 1990 | 176,456 |
| 2000 | 223,098 |
| 2010 | 261,582 |
| 2020 | 284,176 |
| 2030 | 307,577 |
| 2040 | 327,500 |
| 2050 | 340,580 |
| 2060 | 346,411 |
| 2070 | 347,462 |
| 2080 | 346,183 |
| 2090 | 342,951 |
| 2100 | 337,221 |
How New Caledonia Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
- India1.46B
- China1.41B
- United States341.8M
- Indonesia285.7M
- Pakistan255.2M
- Nigeria237.5M
- Brazil212.8M
- Bangladesh175.7M
- Russia143.5M
- Ethiopia135.5M
- New Caledonia295K
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| New Caledonia | 295K |
New Caledonia Population FAQ
Is the population of New Caledonia growing or shrinking?
New Caledonia's population is growing at +0.92% per year, a change of roughly 2,705 people annually.
What is the capital of New Caledonia?
The capital of New Caledonia is Nouméa.
How densely populated is New Caledonia?
New Caledonia has 16/km² across 18,280 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in New Caledonia?
Life expectancy at birth in New Caledonia is 78.9 years (2024).
What is the median age in New Caledonia?
The median age in New Caledonia is 34.5 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is New Caledonia in?
New Caledonia is in Oceania.