Population · Other · 2025 data
New Caledonia Population
New Caledonia had a population of 295,333 in 2025, ranking #178 of 216 countries and territories (0.00% of the world). The population grew by 4.3% over the past ten years.
295,333
Population (2025) · #178
+0.92%
Annual growth
16
People per km²
68%
Live in cities
Population of New Caledonia, 1960–2025
79,8191960
93,1591965
109,3381970
137,4621975
149,8171980
160,2341985
176,4561990
200,3791995
223,0982000
244,3812005
261,5822010
283,1682015
284,1762020
295,3332025
Values in people · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 295,333 | +0.92% |
| 2024 | 292,639 | +0.96% |
| 2023 | 289,870 | +0.96% |
| 2022 | 287,123 | +0.67% |
| 2021 | 285,214 | +0.37% |
| 2020 | 284,176 | +0.20% |
| 2019 | 283,606 | +0.02% |
| 2018 | 283,541 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 283,546 | +0.04% |
| 2016 | 283,423 | +0.09% |
| 2015 | 283,168 | +0.69% |
| 2014 | 281,224 | +1.59% |
| 2013 | 276,822 | +1.91% |
| 2012 | 271,633 | +1.91% |
| 2011 | 266,543 | +1.90% |
| 2010 | 261,582 | +1.68% |
| 2009 | 257,250 | +1.35% |
| 2008 | 253,825 | +1.24% |
| 2007 | 250,725 | +1.28% |
| 2006 | 247,547 | +1.30% |
| 2005 | 244,381 | +1.47% |
| 2004 | 240,852 | +1.76% |
| 2003 | 236,678 | +1.91% |
| 2002 | 232,236 | +1.99% |
| 2001 | 227,707 | +2.07% |
| 2000 | 223,098 | +2.09% |
| 1999 | 218,527 | +2.09% |
| 1998 | 214,047 | +2.14% |
| 1997 | 209,560 | +2.21% |
| 1996 | 205,034 | +2.32% |
| 1995 | 200,379 | +2.44% |
| 1994 | 195,614 | +2.49% |
| 1993 | 190,857 | +2.57% |
| 1992 | 186,072 | +2.67% |
| 1991 | 181,238 | +2.71% |
| 1990 | 176,456 | +2.57% |
| 1989 | 172,029 | +2.09% |
| 1988 | 168,502 | +1.72% |
| 1987 | 165,650 | +1.69% |
| 1986 | 162,898 | +1.66% |
| 1985 | 160,234 | +1.68% |
| 1984 | 157,583 | +1.66% |
| 1983 | 155,003 | +1.31% |
| 1982 | 153,001 | +1.03% |
| 1981 | 151,441 | +1.08% |
| 1980 | 149,817 | +1.14% |
| 1979 | 148,132 | +1.19% |
| 1978 | 146,392 | +1.24% |
| 1977 | 144,599 | +1.77% |
| 1976 | 142,091 | +3.37% |
| 1975 | 137,462 | +4.57% |
| 1974 | 131,452 | +4.67% |
| 1973 | 125,585 | +4.71% |
| 1972 | 119,931 | +4.73% |
| 1971 | 114,514 | +4.73% |
| 1970 | 109,338 | +4.28% |
| 1969 | 104,849 | +3.36% |
| 1968 | 101,441 | +2.89% |
| 1967 | 98,587 | +2.89% |
| 1966 | 95,820 | +2.86% |
| 1965 | 93,159 | +2.82% |
| 1964 | 90,602 | +2.90% |
| 1963 | 88,050 | +3.18% |
| 1962 | 85,334 | +3.41% |
| 1961 | 82,521 | +3.39% |
| 1960 | 79,819 | — |
Demographics of New Caledonia
78.9
Life expectancy (years)
1.96
Births per woman (below replacement)
11.8%
Aged 65 and over
34.6 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
Kanak 39.1%, European 27.1%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.2%, Tahitian 2.1%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1%, Vietnamese 0.9%, other 17.7%, unspecified 2.5% (2014 est.)
Languages
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Religions
Christian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 72.7% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
1
Noumea Capital
198,000Frequently asked questions about the population of New Caledonia
What is the population of New Caledonia?
New Caledonia had a population of 295,333 in 2025, ranking #178 of 216 countries and territories (0.00% of the world).
Is the population of New Caledonia growing?
Yes. The population grew by 4.3% over the past ten years. Annual growth in 2025: 0.92%.
How has the population of New Caledonia changed since 1960?
It has grown 3.7-fold, from 79,819 in 1960 to 295,333 in 2025.
How densely populated is New Caledonia?
About 16 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in New Caledonia?
Noumea — about 198,000 people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).