People and Society of New Caledonia

Nationality

New Caledonian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%

Population

271,407

Population in Major Urban Areas

NOUMEA (capital) 157,000

Medical treatment on the main island is generally good but is more limited on the outer islands. The Centre Hospitalier Territorial in Noumea provides emergency and outpatient services, as does the smaller Centre Hospitalier Nord in Koumac in the northern part of the main island of New Caledonia and the Centre Hospitalier Est in Poindimie on the east coast of the main island. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Patients with more serious illnesses are often referred to Noumea, Australia, or France for treatment. In the event of a medical evacuation to Australia, you need to submit a referral from a doctor in New Caledonia, proof of acceptance by an Australian doctor, and proof of the patient's ability to pay for the medical treatment to Australian visa authorities to get a visa. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in New Caledonia is notably high, reflecting the territory's relatively advanced healthcare infrastructure, its status as a French overseas collectivity, and access to resources tied to the broader French public health system. The overall life expectancy at birth is approximately 78 to 79 years, with women living longer on average — around 81 to 82 years — compared to men, who average roughly 75 to 76 years. These figures place New Caledonia well above the average for the broader Oceania region and significantly above many independent Pacific island nations. The territory benefits from a public health system modeled on that of metropolitan France, including subsidized medical care, hospital facilities in Nouméa, and a network of clinics and dispensaries serving more remote communities across the main island of Grande Terre and the outer islands. Despite these positive indicators, health outcomes are not uniform across the population. The indigenous Kanak population and residents of more isolated rural and island communities often experience lower life expectancy and reduced access to healthcare services compared to urban residents, particularly those living in and around Nouméa. Disparities in income, education, and geographic access to medical facilities contribute to these gaps. Key health challenges that influence life expectancy include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lifestyle-related conditions, all of which have become more prevalent as dietary and activity patterns have shifted over recent decades. These non-communicable diseases represent the primary drivers of premature mortality in the territory. Tobacco and alcohol use also remain notable public health concerns that affect long-term health outcomes. Infant mortality rates have declined considerably over recent generations, contributing to improvements in overall life expectancy at birth. Public health investments, maternal care programs, and vaccination campaigns have all played a role in extending healthy life spans across the territory. New Caledonia's infant mortality rate now compares favorably with many developed nations, a testament to the reach and relative effectiveness of its public health infrastructure. Ongoing efforts to address health inequities between the Kanak and non-Kanak populations remain a priority for local governance, particularly as New Caledonia continues to navigate questions of political status and resource distribution that directly affect public welfare outcomes. Closing these persistent gaps in health access and outcomes represents one of the territory's most significant long-term public health challenges.

Infant Mortality Rate

New Caledonia maintains a relatively low infant mortality rate compared to many other Pacific island territories, reflecting its status as a French special collectivity with access to French public health infrastructure and funding. The infant mortality rate stands at approximately 5 to 6 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places the territory broadly in line with other developed or high-income regions of the world. This relatively favorable outcome is attributable to several factors. New Caledonia benefits from a well-developed healthcare system supported by metropolitan France, including modern hospital facilities in the capital Nouméa, trained medical personnel, and vaccination programs that align with French national standards. Maternal and neonatal care services are widely available in urban areas, contributing to better birth outcomes and reduced infant deaths in the first year of life. However, disparities exist across the territory. Indigenous Kanak communities, particularly those living in rural areas or on the outer islands, historically have had less consistent access to healthcare services compared to residents in and around Nouméa. These geographic and socioeconomic inequalities mean that aggregate statistics do not always reflect the full picture for all segments of the population. Over recent decades, the infant mortality rate in New Caledonia has declined steadily, mirroring global trends driven by improvements in prenatal care, nutrition, sanitation, and the control of infectious diseases. Continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and community outreach programs targeting underserved populations remains important to sustaining and further improving these outcomes. When placed in a regional context, New Caledonia's infant mortality figures are considerably lower than those of independent Pacific nations such as Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands, highlighting how administrative ties to France and associated resource transfers contribute meaningfully to public health performance across the territory.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Roman Catholic60.0%
• Protestant30.0%
• other10.0%

French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

• French
• Melanesian-Polynesian

Crime Information

The crime rate in New Caledonia is low; however, petty crime such as pick pocketing and purse-snatching does occur. Fights and assaults sometimes occur outside discotheques and bars, especially over weekends and holidays and at closing time. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too. The import or possession of counterfeit items is a crime in New Caledonia and even having any such items in your baggage on arrival can lead to their seizure and serious fines for the person involved.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in New Caledonia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In New Caledonia, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you, and driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in New Caledonia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.