New Caledonia Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
New Caledonia's labor force participation was 56.42% in 2025, ranked 130th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
New Caledonia's labor force participation stood at 56.42% in 2025, a decline of +0.46pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 56.32% by 2026. New Caledonia ranked 130th globally.
New Caledonia’s labor force participation has fallen sharply over the past three and a half decades, slipping from a 1990 level of 64.65 % to an all‑time trough of 56.42 % in 2025, the lowest figure recorded since the series began. The peak of 65.51 % was reached in 1997, after which participation entered a persistent downward trajectory that has erased more than nine percentage points of earlier engagement. This decline places the territory at rank 130 globally, marginally below peers such as Honduras (56.56 %) and the Channel Islands (56.36 %). The persistent erosion suggests structural constraints, including limited formal employment opportunities and demographic shifts toward an older population. If policy reforms can expand job creation in services and diversify the economy, the downward trend may be moderated; otherwise, participation is likely to continue drifting toward lower levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 55.80% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 56.06% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.42% | −0.46pp | #130 |
| 2024 | 56.88% | −0.36pp | #128 |
| 2023 | 57.25% | −0.34pp | #126 |
| 2022 | 57.59% | +0.23pp | #125 |
| 2021 | 57.37% | −0.31pp | #121 |
| 2020 | 57.68% | +0.03pp | #111 |
| 2019 | 57.65% | −1.29pp | #126 |
| 2018 | 58.94% | −1.27pp | #118 |
| 2017 | 60.21% | −1.25pp | #101 |
| 2016 | 61.45% | −1.24pp | #91 |
| 2015 | 62.69% | −1.21pp | #80 |
| 2014 | 63.90% | −0.17pp | #72 |
| 2013 | 64.06% | −0.11pp | #67 |
| 2012 | 64.17% | −0.10pp | #69 |
| 2011 | 64.27% | −0.06pp | #63 |
Analysis
New Caledonia's labor force participation was 56.42% in 2025, a decline of −0.46pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 56.32% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Caledonia's labor force participation was 56.42% in 2025. Ranked 130th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
New Caledonia's labor force participation peaked at 65.51% in 1997.
The lowest labor force participation in New Caledonia was 56.42% in 2025.
New Caledonia ranks 130th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Caledonia's labor force participation is projected to reach 56.32% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of New Caledonia in 2025 was 56.42%. This ranks 130th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-caledonia_labor-force-participation,
title = {New Caledonia Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-caledonia/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}