2017 Edition

Background

Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island became a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct a referendum by November 2018 to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence.

Area

18,575 sq km 18,275 sq km 300 sq km

land

18,275 sq km

total

18,575 sq km

water

300 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Coastline

2,254 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mont Panie 1,628 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires

Geographic coordinates

21 30 S, 165 30 E

Geography - note

consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls

Irrigated land

100 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10.4% arable land 0.4%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 9.8% 45.9% 43.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

10.4%

forest

45.9%

other

43.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones, most frequent from November to March Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active

volcanism

Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active

Natural resources

nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper

Population - distribution

most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea

Terrain

coastal plains with interior mountains

Age structure

22.46% (male 32,025/female 30,648) 16.44% (male 23,438/female 22,438) 43.5% (male 61,169/female 60,232) 8.4% (male 11,352/female 12,097) 9.2% (male 11,396/female 14,275) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

22.46% (male 32,025/female 30,648)

15-24 years

16.44% (male 23,438/female 22,438)

25-54 years

43.5% (male 61,169/female 60,232)

55-64 years

8.4% (male 11,352/female 12,097)

65 years and over

9.2% (male 11,396/female 14,275) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.3 33.9 14.4 6.9 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

14.4

potential support ratio

6.9 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.3

youth dependency ratio

33.9

Drinking water source

urban: 98.5% of population rural: 98.5% of population total: 98.5% of population urban: 1.5% of population rural: 1.5% of population total: 1.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.5% of population

total

1.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.5% of population

Ethnic groups

Kanak 40.3%, European 29.2%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.7%, Tahitian 2%, Indonesian 1.6%, Vietnamese 1%, Ni-Vanuatu 0.9%, other 16.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

5.2 deaths/1,000 live births 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

6.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

Life expectancy at birth

77.9 years 73.9 years 82 years (2017 est.)

female

82 years (2017 est.)

male

73.9 years

total population

77.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.9% 97.3% 96.5% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.5% (2015 est.)

male

97.3%

total population

96.9%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

NOUMEA (capital) 181,000 (2014)

Median age

32 years 31.2 years 32.7 years (2017 est.)

female

32.7 years (2017 est.)

male

31.2 years

total

32 years

Nationality

New Caledonian(s) New Caledonian

adjective

New Caledonian

noun

New Caledonian(s)

Net migration rate

3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2017 est.)

note

there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2017 est.)

Physicians density

2.22 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

279,070 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea

Population growth rate

1.33% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.93 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

71.2% of total population (2017) 1.91% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.91% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

71.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province)

Capital

Noumea 22 16 S, 166 27 E UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

22 16 S, 166 27 E

name

Noumea

time difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see France

Constitution

4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998) (2016)

Country name

Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies New Caledonia Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances Nouvelle-Caledonie British explorer Captain James COOK discovered and named New Caledonia in 1774; he used the appellation because the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland (Caledonia is the Latin designation for Scotland)

conventional long form

Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies

conventional short form

New Caledonia

etymology

British explorer Captain James COOK discovered and named New Caledonia in 1774; he used the appellation because the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland (Caledonia is the Latin designation for Scotland)

local long form

Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances

local short form

Nouvelle-Caledonie

Dependency status

territorial collectivity (or a sui generis collectivity) of France since 1998; an independence referendum is to take place by November 2018

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of France)

Executive branch

President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Thierry LATASTE (since 20 June 2016) President of the Government (vacant); Vice President Jean-Louis D'ANGLEBERME (since 1 April 2015) Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 10 June 2011 (next to be held in June 2016) Philippe GERMAINE (Caledonia Together) elected president by Territorial Congress; vote NA

cabinet

Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress

chief of state

President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Thierry LATASTE (since 20 June 2016)

election results

Philippe GERMAINE (Caledonia Together) elected president by Territorial Congress; vote NA

elections/appointments

French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 10 June 2011 (next to be held in June 2016)

head of government

President of the Government (vacant); Vice President Jean-Louis D'ANGLEBERME (since 1 April 2015)

Flag description

New Caledonia has two official flags; alongside the flag of France, the Kanak (indigenous Melanesian) flag has equal status; the latter consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a large yellow disk - diameter two-thirds the height of the flag - shifted slightly to the hoist side is edged in black and displays a black fleche faitiere symbol, a native rooftop adornment

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France

Independence

none (special collectivity of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but was rejected; a new referendum must be held before 2019

International organization participation

ITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal in Noumea or Cour d'Appel; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; court bench normally includes the court president and 2 counsilors); Administrative Court (number of judges NA); note - final appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation in Paris; final appeals beyond the Administrative Court are referred to the Administrative Court of Appeal (in Paris) judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts

highest resident court(s)

Court of Appeal in Noumea or Cour d'Appel; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; court bench normally includes the court president and 2 counsilors); Administrative Court (number of judges NA); note - final appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation in Paris; final appeals beyond the Administrative Court are referred to the Administrative Court of Appeal (in Paris)

judge selection and term of office

judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system

subordinate courts

Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts

Legal system

civil law system based on French law; the 1988 Matignon Accords (signed in the Matignon Hotel) set up a 10-year period of development during which the Kanak community received substantial autonomy but agreed not to raise the independence issue

Legislative branch

unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du Territoire (54 seats; members indirectly selected proportionally by the partisan makeup of the 3 Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales; members of the 3 Provincial Assemblies directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population, which rules on laws affecting the indigenous population; New Caledonia holds 2 seats in the French Senate; elections last held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held not later than September 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CE 2 last held on 11 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); note - the government that was elected on 11 May 2014 collapsed within 6 months leading to a new election on 31 December 2014 which reelected the same government percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party - N/A as of May 2014, seats by party - CE 13, FLNKS 9, UMP 7, Union for Caledonia in France 6, Build Our Rainbow Nation 6, UNI 6, other 7

election results

percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party - N/A

elections

last held on 11 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); note - the government that was elected on 11 May 2014 collapsed within 6 months leading to a new election on 31 December 2014 which reelected the same government

note

as of May 2014, seats by party - CE 13, FLNKS 9, UMP 7, Union for Caledonia in France 6, Build Our Rainbow Nation 6, UNI 6, other 7

National anthem

"Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers) Chorale Melodia (a local choir) adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

lyrics/music

Chorale Melodia (a local choir)

name

"Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)

note

adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

National holiday

Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)

National symbol(s)

fleche faitiere (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird; national colors: blue, red, green, yellow, black

fleche faitiere (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird; national colors

blue, red, green, yellow, black

Political parties and leaders

Build Our Rainbow Nation Caledonia Together or CE [Philippe GERMAIN] Caledonian Union or UC [Daniel GOA] Future Together (l'Avenir Ensemble) [Harold MARTIN] Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) [Roch WAMYTAN] Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PT [Louis Kotra UREGEI] National Union for Independence (Union Nationale pour l'Independance) or UNI Party of Kanak Liberation (Parti de Liberation Kanak) or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE] Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Nidoish NAISSELINE] The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) [Pierre FROGIER] Union for Caledonia in France

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vegetables; beef, venison, other livestock products; fish

Budget

$1.995 billion $1.993 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$1.993 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$1.995 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.469 billion (2014 est.) $-1.861 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$112 million (31 December 2013 est.) $79 million (31 December 1998 est.)

Economy - overview

New Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. During 2009-10, France sent more development assistance to New Caledonia than to any of its other overseas territories. In October 2014, French Prime Minister Manuel VALLS confirmed financial support to New Caledonia totaling $500 million for the period 2016-20. The new government, which inherited a $112 million deficit in 2013, is expected to focus on bringing the territory’s budget back into balance. With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices. In April 2016, PM VALLS committed $180 million to support New Caledonia’s main nickel company, Societe Le Nickel.

Exchange rates

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 110.2 (2016 est.) 107.84 (2015 est.) 89.85 (2013 est.) 90.56 (2012 est.) 85.74 (2011 est.)

Exports

$2.207 billion (2014 est.) $1.314 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

ferronickels, nickel ore, fish

Exports - partners

China 30.4%, Japan 15.7%, South Korea 14.7%, France 5%, Belgium 4.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64.4% 24.3% 38.1% 0% 17.2% -44.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

17.2%

government consumption

24.3%

household consumption

64.4%

imports of goods and services

-44.1% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

38.1%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.4% 26.1% 72.4% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.4%

industry

26.1%

services

72.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$31,100 (2015 est.) $32,100 (2014 est.) $29,800 (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.4% (2015 est.) 1.3% (2014 est.) 2.2% (2013)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.54 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.77 billion (2015 est.) $10.62 billion (2014 est.) $10.33 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 dollars

note

data are in 2015 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.4 billion (2014 est.) $4.47 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

France 25.1%, Singapore 10.1%, China 9.8%, Australia 6.2%, Malaysia 5.9%, South Korea 5.8%, NZ 4.6%, US 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

nickel mining and smelting

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force

119,500 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.7% 22.4% 74.9% (2010)

agriculture

2.7%

industry

22.4%

services

74.9% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

17% (2008)

Public debt

6.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 6.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$658.2 million (2015 est.) $593.8 million (2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.43 billion (2015 est.) $14.55 billion (2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.522 billion (2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

12.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

14.7% (2014) 14% (2009)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.5 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

2.611 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

78.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

14% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

7.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

557,200 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

2.807 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

112,895 59% 68% 45% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

45% (2012)

electrification - total population

59%

electrification - urban areas

68%

population without electricity

112,895

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

116.8 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

17,370 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle Caledonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast (2008)

Internet country code

.nc

Internet users

201,000 74% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

74% (July 2016 est.)

total

201,000

Telephone system

a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, increased network capacity and improved high-speed connectivity and access to international networks combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 120 per 100 persons country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 120 per 100 persons

general assessment

a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, increased network capacity and improved high-speed connectivity and access to international networks

international

country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

92,000 34 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

34 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

92,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

246,000 91 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

91 (July 2016 est.)

total

246,000

Airports

25 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

10

over 3,047 m

1

total

12

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

13

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Heliports

8 (2013)

Merchant marine

3 (France 3) (2010)

registered in other countries

3 (France 3) (2010)

National air transport system

2 (registered in France) 10 (registered in France) (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

10 (registered in France) (2015)

number of registered air carriers

2 (registered in France)

Ports and terminals

Noumea

major seaport(s)

Noumea

Roadways

5,622 km (2006)

total

5,622 km (2006)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Military branches

no regular military forces; French military, police, and gendarmerie (2012)

Disputes - international

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu