Sui generis collectivity of France
Sui generis ("of its own kind") collectivity of the French Republic, governed by Title XIII of the Constitution and the Nouméa Accord of 5 May 1998. Its status is unique within France and includes powers transferred definitively from the State (Article 77).
Listed by the United Nations as a Non-Self-Governing Territory.
National Identity
- Official name
- New Caledonia
- Official name (in French)
- Nouvelle-Calédonie
- Name etymology
the name came from British explorer Captain James COOK in 1774 and uses the Latin name for Scotland, Caledonia
Sources:- Organic Law No. 99-209 of 19 March 1999 on New Caledonia ↗ - Légifrance - The public service for the diffusion of law
- The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- National flag
- National anthem
- La MarseillaiseThe national anthem of France.1:19
- Title (in French)
- La Marseillaise
- Title (in English, translated)
- The Song of Marseille
- Lyrics
1Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L’étendard sanglant est levé! L’étendard sanglant est levé! Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger nos fils et nos compagnes!
ChorusAux armes, citoyens! Formez vos bataillons! Marchons! marchons! Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons!
2Que veut cette horde d’esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés? Ces fers dès longtemps préparés? Français, pour nous, ah! quel outrage! Quels transports il doit exciter! C’est nous qu’on ose méditer De rendre à l’antique esclavage!
Aux armes, citoyens!3Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers! Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers! Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient! De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées!
Aux armes, citoyens!4Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides, L’opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix! Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix! Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S’ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La terre en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre!
Aux armes, citoyens!5Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups! Epargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s’armant contre nous. A regret s’armant contre nous. Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère!
Aux armes, citoyens!6Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs! Combats avec tes défenseurs! Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !
Aux armes, citoyens!7Nous entrerons dans la carrière Quand nos aînés n’y seront plus; Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. Et la trace de leurs vertus. Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre !
Aux armes, citoyens!Source: - Citizens
- New Caledonians
- Official name:Organic Law No. 99-209 of 19 March 1999 on New Caledonia ↗ - Légifrance - The public service for the diffusion of law
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
- Total area
- 18,575 km²
- Land area
- 18,275 km²
- Water area
- 300 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 2,254 km
- Terrain
Coastal plains with interior mountains - Highest point
- 1,628 mMont Panie
- Lowest point
- 0 mPacific Ocean
- Climate
Tropical modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid - Avg. temperature
- 22.5 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 20 to 25.6 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,357 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 28.2 25.2 22.7 169 February 28.5 25.6 23.2 182 March 27.8 25 22.8 214 April 26.5 23.6 21.4 133 May 24.8 21.9 19.6 106 June 23.4 20.5 18.2 89 July 22.5 19.4 17 70 August 22.6 19.4 16.7 74 September 23.9 20.4 17.4 55 October 25.4 21.8 18.8 56 November 26.6 23.2 20.2 85 December 27.7 24.5 21.7 123 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable0.3%Perm. crops0.2%Pasture9.5%Forest48.8%Other41.1%
- Arable land
- 5,970 hectares (0.3%)
- Permanent crops
- 3,730 hectares (0.2%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 174,330 hectares (9.5%)
- Forest
- 892,610 hectares (48.8%)
- Other land
- 751,360 hectares (41.1%)
Source:
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.87% per year+2,559 people/yearWorld Rank107thof 237
- Birth rate
- 13.6 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 6.4 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- +1.2 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 34.8 yearsWorld Rank107thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years20.9%15-64 years67.0%65 years +12.1%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 12.1%
- Share aged under 18
- 25.1%
- Total dependency ratio
- 49
- Youth dependency ratio
- 31
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 18
- Sex ratio
- 0.97 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.0% 1.5% 70-79 2.7% 2.9% 60-69 4.6% 4.8% 50-59 6.3% 6.6% 40-49 6.7% 7.0% 30-39 6.9% 7.1% 20-29 7.0% 7.0% 10-19 7.1% 7.0% 0-9 7.1% 6.8% - 2026
- 0.17 below the replacement level for New Caledonia ()1.93 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank114thof 237
- 0.92 daughters per woman0.08 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +7.2 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 7.2 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- +1.2 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 68.4% live in 203,795 urban residents
- Largest communes2025
- Nouméa, Dumbéa, Païta, Le Mont-DoreRankCommunePopulation (2025 census)1Nouméa85,9762Dumbéa34,9263Païta27,6094Le Mont-Dore25,3035Koné8,0486Bourail5,5757Poindimié4,6138Koumac4,2729Canala3,91110Houaïlou3,756Source:
- Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, New Caledonia (2025 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- Most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea.
- Ethnic groups2014
- Kanak39.1%European27.1%Wallisian, Futunian8.2%Tahitian2.1%Indonesian1.4%Ni-Vanuatu1.0%Vietnamese0.9%Other17.7%Unspecified2.5%
- Religions2020
- Christian85.2%Muslim2.8%Other1.6%Unaffiliated10.4%
- Languages
- French (Français)
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, New Caledonia (2025 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicShared with France: the President of the French Republic is head of state.Part of the French Republic, but governed neither by Article 73 nor by Article 74: its status falls under a title of its own, Title XIII, on transitional provisions relating to New Caledonia (Arts. 1, 72-3).Sources:
- Constitution du 4 octobre 1958, texte intégral en vigueur ↗, Arts. 1, 72-3
- Loi organique n° 99-209 du 19 mars 1999 relative à la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Arts. 1, 72-3
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe Congress elects the members of the Government by proportional representation, who choose its President; the Government answers to the Congress, which can end it by a censure motion (Organic Law 99-209, Arts. 95, 96, 108, 110, 115).Sources:
- Constitution du 4 octobre 1958, texte intégral en vigueur ↗, Organic Law 99-209, Arts. 95, 96, 108, 110, 115
- Loi organique n° 99-209 du 19 mars 1999 relative à la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Organic Law 99-209, Arts. 95, 96, 108, 110, 115
- Official websites
- Government (in French)
- Parliament (in French)
- Capital
- Nouméa85,976 people(2019)
- National holidays
- 12 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- FriMay 1Labor Day
- FriMay 8Victory Day
- ThuMay 14Ascension Day
- MonMay 25Pentecost Monday
- TueJul 14National Day
- SatAug 15Assumption Day
- ThuSep 24Citizenship Day
- SunNov 1All Saints' Day
- WedNov 11Armistice Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- NCTNew Caledonia Standard TimeUTC+11
- Currency
- CFP Franc (XPF)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +687
- Internet TLD
- .nc
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- NC, NCL
- Infrastructure
- Heliports
- 2
Source:- The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Flag carrier
- AircalinState-owned
- Form of state, System of government:Constitution du 4 octobre 1958, texte intégral en vigueur ↗ - Constitutional Council of France
- Form of state, System of government:Loi organique n° 99-209 du 19 mars 1999 relative à la Nouvelle-Calédonie
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- High income
- 2017
- Services68.4% of GDPIndustry21.2% of GDPAgriculture2% of GDPManufacturing5.6%part of industry
- Households
- +65.6%
- Government
- +23.5%
- Investment
- +27.8%
- Exports
- +21%
- Imports
- −37.9%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Labor force2024
- 130,996 (45% of population)World Rank178thof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 56.9% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 11.0%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 31.8% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $67.9 per hour worked at PPP
- Trade2016latest available
- Goods$1.3 billion71.2%
- Services$540 million28.8%
- Total exports
- $1.9 billion
- Change from 2015
- up 5.9 percent on the previous year5.9%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Coconuts (in shell), Meat of cattle with the bone (fresh or chilled), Lemons and limes, and 7 more
- 1Coconuts (in shell)50.4×
- 2Meat of cattle with the bone (fresh or chilled)7.7×
- 3Lemons and limes7.5×
- 4Hen eggs in shell (fresh)5.3×
- 5Meat of pig with the bone (fresh or chilled)4.3×
- 6Yams3.9×
- 7Oranges3.4×
- 8Mangoes and guavas and mangosteens3.4×
- 9Bananas2.9×
- 10Watermelons1.3×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- nickel mining and smelting
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Average gross salary2017
- CFPF 220,065 per month$2,083 (USD), $1,744 (PPP)
- Median
- CFPF 192,000 per month($1,818)
- Men
- CFPF 232,445 per month($2,200)
- Women
- CFPF 205,187 per month($1,942)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- CFPF 166,536 per month, gross$1,510 (USD)
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- Mobile subscriptions2019
- 260,000
- Fixed telephone lines
- 46,000
- Fixed broadband
- 19.4 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2024
- Official tourism site59,399 arrivalsdown 55% against 201955% below 2019World Rank132ndof 139
- Per resident
- 2 arrivals per 10 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 60,000 arrivals(2022)
- Visitor spending in the country
- $248 million(2016, latest available)
- Residents' trips abroad
- 96,970 overnight trips
- Residents' spending abroad
- $252 million(2016, latest available)
- Average hotel stay
- 2.3 nights(2014, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2024A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 natural
Site Lagoons of New Caledonia Source:- The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Prison population2023
- 203.5 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 590
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 79.2 years
- Infant mortality2026
- 7.9 per 1,000 live births
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 5 Mt per yearup 2.7 percent on the previous year2.7% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 16.6 t per personWorld Rank11thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.2 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.19 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 5.38 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 2.9 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted207thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- preservation of coral reefs
- prevention of invasive species
- limiting erosion caused by nickel mining and forest fires
- International agreements
- 0 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 1 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement not a party UN Framework Convention on Climate Change not a party Kyoto Protocol not a party Ozone layer Montreal Protocol not a party Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) not a party Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity not a party CITES not a party Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety not a party Nagoya Protocol not a party Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands not a party World Heritage Convention not a party UN Convention to Combat Desertification not a party Chemicals and waste Basel Convention not a party Rotterdam Convention (PIC) not a party Stockholm Convention (POPs) not a party Minamata Convention on Mercury not a party Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea not a party High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) not a party MARPOL 73/78 not a party Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: New Caledonia - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 172.8 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 6% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade3.1 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 3.1 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 3.1 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 16,920 b/d in 2024Consumption202416,920 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration