New Caledonia Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
New Caledonia's dependency ratio was 48.65 in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
New Caledonia's dependency ratio stood at 48.65 in 2025, a decline of +0.01 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 48.65 by 2025. New Caledonia ranked 157th globally.
New Caledonia’s dependency ratio has fallen dramatically over the 66‑year series, dropping from a high of 78.36 in 1975 to a trough of 48.23 in 2021 and reaching 48.65 in 2025, placing the territory 157th globally. The decline reflects a combination of rising labour‑force participation and a modest slowdown in population ageing, which has reduced the proportion of dependents relative to the working‑age cohort. By 2025 the ratio aligns closely with peers such as the Philippines (48.84) and El Salvador (48.51), suggesting that New Caledonia’s demographic structure is converging with other middle‑income economies that have experienced similar transitions. The sustained downward trajectory indicates that, barring a reversal in fertility or a sharp increase in life expectancy, the dependency burden will likely continue to ease, supporting greater fiscal space for social programmes and investment in human capital.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 48.84 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 48.75 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 48.65 | - | - |
| 2025 | 48.65 | −0.01 | #157 |
| 2024 | 48.66 | +0.25 | #56 |
| 2023 | 48.40 | +0.14 | #55 |
| 2022 | 48.27 | +0.04 | #55 |
| 2021 | 48.23 | −0.04 | #55 |
| 2020 | 48.27 | −0.07 | #56 |
| 2019 | 48.34 | −0.12 | #60 |
| 2018 | 48.46 | −0.23 | #64 |
| 2017 | 48.69 | −0.27 | #65 |
| 2016 | 48.96 | −0.29 | #68 |
| 2015 | 49.25 | −0.19 | #74 |
| 2014 | 49.43 | −0.11 | #80 |
| 2013 | 49.55 | −0.16 | #86 |
| 2012 | 49.71 | −0.27 | #89 |
| 2011 | 49.98 | −0.40 | #93 |
Analysis
New Caledonia's dependency ratio was 48.65 in 2025, a decline of −0.01 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 48.65 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Caledonia's dependency ratio was 48.65 in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
New Caledonia's dependency ratio peaked at 78.36 in 1975.
The lowest dependency ratio in New Caledonia was 48.23 in 2021.
New Caledonia ranks 157th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Caledonia's dependency ratio is projected to reach 48.65 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of New Caledonia in 2025 was 48.65. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-caledonia_dependency-ratio,
title = {New Caledonia Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-caledonia/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}