New Caledonia Rate of Natural Increase

New Caledonia’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth and death rates, excluding migration—has been relatively modest in recent years, estimated at around 0.7% per year. This RNI is lower than that of many neighboring Pacific island nations such as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, which have RNIs exceeding 2% due to higher birth rates and younger populations. In contrast, New Caledonia’s RNI is similar to or slightly higher than that of French Polynesia, another French overseas territory, which also experiences lower birth rates and an aging demographic. The comparatively low RNI in New Caledonia reflects its higher standard of living, better healthcare, and greater urbanization, all of which contribute to declining fertility rates and slower natural population growth compared to its less developed neighbors.

Data from US Census International Database