New Caledonia profile

Demography and Health

New Caledonia presents a small, aging-friendly population profile with a solid health base. In 2023, the crude birth rate stood at 14.3 births per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate was 6.27 per 1,000, signaling a natural increase of about 8 per 1,000 residents. The life expectancy at birth reached 78.8 years in 2023, placing the territory in a relatively favorable health trajectory on a global scale (life expectancy rank 56). The territory also experiences modest population momentum: by 2024 the population was recorded at 292,639, with net migration of 455 people in the same year, reinforcing a balanced demographic dynamic rather than rapid growth or decline (net migration rank 78; population rank 178). The food security picture is positive, as undernourishment affected 5.6% of the population in 2022 (rank 72), indicating that most residents have steady access to adequate food. Taken together, these indicators show a health system capable of supporting a long life expectancy and a population that, while small, maintains stable growth and nourishment levels. The combination of aging tendencies, high life expectancy, and a moderate birth rate suggests ongoing shifts in age structure, with implications for healthcare demand, social services, and the resilience of public health systems in the years ahead.

Economy, Trade and Investment

The economy underscores a high-income profile for a territory with a small population. GDP per capita (current US$) was about 33,516 in 2022, ranking 46th globally and signaling a relatively prosperous level of average income supporting consumer and public services. Foreign direct investment is notably active, with net inflows amounting to 7.24% of GDP in 2022, a position that ranks around 30 and points to a favorable investment climate and integration into global capital markets. Unemployment remains moderate at 10.7% in 2022 (rank 18), suggesting there is usable labor supply but also room for job creation in both private and public sectors. The economy also shows environmental and productivity dimensions in its energy and emissions profile: renewable energy accounted for 9.6% of total final energy consumption in 2022 (rank 42), indicating ongoing diversification of energy sources but substantial reliance on non-renewables. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita excluding LULUCF were 22.8 t CO2e in 2023 (rank 11), reflecting energy intensity and transport needs typical of island economies, which elevates the importance of energy efficiency and decarbonization measures. Overall, these indicators describe an open and relatively advanced economy for its size, supported by significant foreign investment, a capable workforce, and a growing emphasis on cleaner energy transitions, albeit with concrete challenges in emissions and energy diversification.

Governance and Institutions

The dataset does not provide direct metrics on governance quality, institutions, or policy effectiveness. Nevertheless, the context of New Caledonia as a French overseas collectivity implies a framework where French law governs many aspects of national-level policy while local institutions manage regional administration. This dual structure typically sustains macroeconomic stability, rule of law, and predictable business environments, which align with the territory’s ability to attract foreign direct investment and achieve a relatively high GDP per capita. The political and administrative setup likely includes local government bodies interacting with national authorities to regulate sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. The absence of explicit governance indicators in the data means that assessments of regulatory quality, corruption, or bureaucratic efficiency cannot be specifically stated here; nonetheless, the combination of high income levels, active FDI, and stable health outcomes suggests a governance environment capable of supporting investment and service delivery, while ongoing political considerations around autonomy and independence are important undercurrents in the regional governance landscape.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology in New Caledonia show a mix of advanced service capacity and energy transition opportunities. The GDP per capita level implies substantial funding for urban infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and transport networks relative to many peers with similar population sizes. The energy data reveal that renewable energy represented 9.6% of total final energy consumption in 2022, signaling progress toward cleaner energy but also highlighting substantial room for scaling up renewables to reduce imports and emissions. The 2022 figure for renewable energy, combined with high per-capita emissions (22.8 t CO2e/capita in 2023), points to energy-intensive activities or reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, a common challenge for island regions with limited domestic energy resources. The presence of meaningful foreign investment inflows (as a share of GDP) also suggests that infrastructure networks—ports, airports, grids, and digital connectivity—are sufficiently developed to support business and tourism. However, the data do not provide granular indicators on digital infrastructure, broadband penetration, or mobile connectivity; thus there is room to strengthen information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities to drive innovation, e-services, and resilient public services in a geographically dispersed island context. In short, New Caledonia appears to possess solid foundational infrastructure with clear opportunities to accelerate energy transition and digital modernization to sustain growth and resilience.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental indicators highlight a territory balancing energy use with climate pressures and strong nourishment outcomes. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions, excluding LULUCF, reach 22.8 t CO2e in 2023, ranking 11th in the dataset, underscoring significant emissions intensity for a small population. This reflects the combined effects of electricity generation, transport, and industrial activity typical of remote territories that rely on diesel or imported fuels for energy. Renewable energy's share at 9.6% (2022) indicates a transitional phase with substantial headroom for decarbonization and resilience-building. The relatively low level of undernourishment (5.6% in 2022) supports a secure food system, which is a positive baseline for social and environmental sustainability. New Caledonia’s island geography makes it especially vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme weather and sea-level rise, amplifying the importance of climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism strategies. The combination of high per-capita emissions, energy transition needs, and intact nutritional security suggests targeted policy priorities: accelerate deployment of solar, wind, or other renewables; improve energy efficiency and storage; expand infrastructure to support resilient communities; and integrate environmental safeguards with development planning to safeguard fragile ecosystems, including coral reefs and unique biodiversity. The dataset's indicators collectively underscore both the environmental challenges and the opportunities for a more sustainable growth trajectory anchored in the territory’s high-income context.