The population of New Caledonia is expected to grow by 4,000 in 2018 and reach 288,000 in 2019. Migration (including immigration and emigration) increases population by 1,133 people yearly. On average there are 4,456 births and 1,765 deaths in New Caledonia per year. Rate of natural increase is approximately 0.94 percent per year. The population density of New Caledonia has changed from 7.7 in 1980 to 15.2 in 2016.
| Current population | 287,868 people at present (Saturday 15th of December 2018) | |
| Median Age | 34.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.8 years | |
| Population density | 15.3 per km2 |
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 285,000 | 4,000 (1.4%) | 1,133 | 34.9 | 2.15 | 15 | 204,000 (71.7%) |
| 2017 | 281,000 | 3,000 (1.1%) | 1,133 | 34.6 | 2.17 | 15 | 200,000 (71.2%) |
| 2016 | 278,000 | 5,000 (1.8%) | 1,133 | 34.5 | 2.20 | 15 | 196,652 (70.7%) |
| 2015 | 273,000 | 5,000 (1.8%) | 1,133 | 34.4 | 2.22 | 15 | 191,673 (70.2%) |
| 2010 | 250,000 | 5,000 (2.0%) | 1,132 | 33.5 | 2.17 | 14 | 168,183 (67.3%) |
| 2005 | 231,000 | 3,000 (1.3%) | 847 | 31.0 | 2.20 | 13 | 147,759 (64.0%) |
| 2000 | 213,230 | 4,016 (1.9%) | 954 | 29.6 | 2.59 | 12 | 131,733 (61.8%) |
| 1995 | 193,816 | 4,334 (2.2%) | 1,214 | 28.5 | 2.59 | 11 | 116,464 (60.1%) |
| 1990 | 170,899 | 4,001 (2.3%) | 887 | 27.5 | 3.19 | 9 | 101,748 (59.5%) |
| 1985 | 154,450 | 2,800 (1.8%) | -98 | 26.6 | 3.00 | 8 | 90,869 (58.8%) |
| 1980 | 140,050 | 1,550 (1.1%) | -658 | 25.7 | 3.42 | 8 | 80,425 (57.4%) |
| 1975 | 132,500 | 1,500 (1.1%) | 6 | 25.3 | 3.68 | 7 | 73,094 (55.2%) |
| 1970 | 112,000 | 8,000 (7.1%) | 1,638 | 25.4 | 4.30 | 6 | 57,380 (51.2%) |
| 1965 | 90,500 | 2,400 (2.7%) | 281 | 25.6 | 5.60 | 5 | 40,405 (44.6%) |
| 1960 | 79,000 | 2,200 (2.7%) | 669 | 25.9 | 6.28 | 4 | 29,514 (37.4%) |
In 2017 the population of New Caledonia was 281,000 and the average age increased from 25.9 in 1960 to 34.6. Urban population has increased from 131,733 (61.8%) in 2000 to 204,000 (71.7%) in the current year. The population density of New Caledonia has changed from 7.7 in 1980 to 15.2 in 2016.
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 291,000 | 3,000 (1.0%) | 1,133 | 35.3 | 2.10 | 16 | 212,000 (72.7%) |
| 2025 | 308,000 | 3,000 (1.0%) | 1,133 | 36.3 | 2.02 | 17 | 230,000 (74.7%) |
| 2030 | 324,000 | 3,000 (0.9%) | 1,133 | 37.2 | 1.96 | 18 | 247,000 (76.2%) |
| 2035 | 339,000 | 3,000 (0.9%) | 1,133 | 38.2 | 1.91 | 18 | 263,000 (77.5%) |
| 2040 | 353,000 | 2,000 (0.6%) | 1,133 | 39.2 | 1.87 | 19 | 277,000 (78.4%) |
| 2045 | 366,000 | 3,000 (0.8%) | 1,133 | 40.0 | 1.85 | 20 | 290,000 (79.4%) |
| 2050 | 377,000 | 2,000 (0.5%) | 1,133 | 40.8 | 1.83 | 21 | 303,000 (80.3%) |
Total New Caledonia population should reach 291,000 by 2020 and should increase to 377,000 people by year 2050. The life expectancy at birth should reach 83.0 (81.3 years for male and 84.8 years for females). Population density will go up to 20.7 people per square kilometer.
The population growth rate is 1.42% (3,000 residents, including 1,556 deaths). The demographics of New Caledonia constitutes of 141,000 women and 143,000 men, which means there are 1,014 men per 1000 women. As far as age distribution goes, 29.8% of population (84,902) is 19 or younger, 60.2% of population (171,627) is between age 20 and 64 and 10.1% of population (28,785) is over 65.