New Caledonia

Quick Facts

🇳🇨
Capital:
Nouméa
Official Language(s):
French
Currency:
CFP franc (₣)
Population:
271,960

Overview

New Caledonia is a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 220 km (140 mi) southwest of Vanuatu and 1,210 km (750 mi) east of Australia. Located 16,100 km (10,000 mi) from Metropolitan France, it forms a sui generis collectivity of the French Republic, a legal status unique in overseas France and enshrined in a dedicated chapter of the French Constitution.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $10,071,349,663.848B(2021) GDP, showing negative growth at -2.1%(2021). Upper-middle income economy with good development.

GDP Growth
-2.1%(2021)
GDP PPP
N/A

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows N/A in services, N/A in industry, and N/A in agriculture. Balanced economic structure.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show 11.5%(2021) unemployment and N/A inflation. Trade profile with N/A exports and N/A imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
11.5%(2021)
Inflation
N/A
Exports/GDP
N/A
Imports/GDP
N/A

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

N/A

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

N/A

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

N/A

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

90.3

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

N/A

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents N/A of GDP, with a trade balance of N/A.

FDI Inflows
0.30%(2021)
FDI Outflows
0.30%(2021)

Financial Security

External Debt

N/A

Foreign Reserves

N/A(N/A months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
N/A
High-Tech Exports
N/A

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
N/A
Services
N/A

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    0.0/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    0.4/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    0.0/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 285,214(2021) with 0.4%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 2.05 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    79.127 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    14.5 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (67.5%(2021)) with youth at 22.0%(2021) and elderly at 10.5%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 48.2%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    32.7%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    15.6%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 50.6%(2021) female and 49.4%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.059 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: -1,181(2021).

    Male Mortality
    120.481/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    52.618/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at 0.9%(2021) annually, with 28.1%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: N/A.

    Urbanization
    71.9%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    N/A

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 0.3%(2021) of territory, with 10.1%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: 8,082.8 kg/hectare(2021).

    Food Production Index
    98.28(2021)
    Cereal Production
    7,501.5 MT(2021)

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 100.0%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of N/A per person. Annual precipitation: 45.838 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    N/A

    Environmental Vulnerability

    N/A of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at N/A providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    45.838 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: N/A ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    N/A
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Recorded 150(2021) battle-related deaths.Refugee population: 10,629(2021)Internally displaced: 10,573(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features