Languages · Other
What Language Do They Speak in New Caledonia?
The official language of New Caledonia is French. In total about 34 living languages are spoken there, the most common being French (99%), Dehu (4%) and Nengone (3%).
1
Official language
34
Living languages · #44
0
Regional official languages
15
Endangered languages
Official languages of New Caledonia
Most spoken languages in New Caledonia
French Official
99%Dehu
4%Nengone
3%Paicî
2%Xârâcùù
2%Ajië
2%Iaai
1%Cemuhî
0.85%Yuanga
0.79%Numèè
0.72%West Uvean
0.72%Dumbea
0.66%Share of the population who speak the language (first or second language).
Languages commonly listed for New Caledonia
All languages of New Caledonia (34)
| Language | Speakers here | Family | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | 301,125 · 99% | Indo-European | Official |
| Dehu | 13,000 · 4% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Nengone | 8,700 · 3% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Paicî | 7,300 · 2% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Xârâcùù | 5,700 · 2% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Ajië | 5,400 · 2% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Iaai | 4,100 · 1% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Cemuhî | 2,600 · 0.85% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Yuanga | 2,400 · 0.79% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Numèè | 2,200 · 0.72% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| West Uvean | 2,200 · 0.72% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Dumbea | 2,000 · 0.66% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Nyâlayu | 2,000 · 0.66% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Fwâi | 1,900 · 0.62% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Caac | 1,200 · 0.39% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Nêlêmwa-Nixumwak | 1,100 · 0.36% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Jawe | 990 · 0.33% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Nemi | 910 · 0.3% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Tayo | 900 · 0.3% | Indo-European | Vulnerable |
| Xârâgurè | 760 · 0.25% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Tiri | 600 · 0.2% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Orowe | 490 · 0.16% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Bwatoo | 450 · 0.15% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Haveke | 450 · 0.15% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Haeke | 300 · 0.1% | Austronesian | Moribund |
| Pwaamei | 220 · 0.07% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Hmwaveke | 200 · 0.07% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Pije | 180 · 0.06% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Arhâ | 170 · 0.06% | Austronesian | Moribund |
| Neku | 130 · 0.04% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Vamale | 100 · 0.03% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Pwapwâ | 40 · 0.01% | Austronesian | Moribund |
| Arhö | 10 · 0% | Austronesian | Moribund |
| New Caledonian Javanese | — | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
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Frequently asked questions
What language do they speak in New Caledonia?
The official language of New Caledonia is French. In total about 34 living languages are spoken there, the most common being French (99%), Dehu (4%) and Nengone (3%).
What is the official language of New Caledonia?
French.
Is English spoken in New Caledonia?
English is not widely spoken in New Caledonia — learn a few words of French before you go.
How many languages are spoken in New Caledonia?
About 34 living languages — #44 in the world for linguistic diversity. 15 of them are endangered.
Data: Languages of the World dataset (MIT) — ISO 639-3, Glottolog (CC BY 4.0), Unicode CLDR, Google LinguaMeta (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata; country lists: samayo/country-json (MIT).