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In 2026, New Caledonia's population is projected at 297,892. That is a 5-fold increase on the 63,790 recorded in 1950. It is growing modestly, at +0.83% a year, adding about 2.5K people a year. With only 16 people/km², it is one of the world's more sparsely settled countries. Half the population is younger than 34.8 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 40.6 by 2050. The sexes are close to evenly balanced, at 97 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections see it rising to 337,221, up 13% from 2026.
Total population
297,892
Density
16 people/km²
Median age
34.8 years
Growth rate
+0.83%
New Caledonia's population continues to grow, though at a moderate pace. The population is aging rapidly; median age will rise from 35 in 2026 to 41 by 2050. Population density is low at 16 people per km².