WFTU, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of
France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of
France)

Flag description: the flag of France is used

New Caledonia Economy

Economy - overview: New Caledonia has more than 20% of the world's
known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered
because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal
source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is
suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of
imports. In addition to nickel, the substantial financial support
from France and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. The
situation in 1998 was clouded by the spillover of financial problems
in East Asia and by lower prices for nickel. Nickel prices jumped in
1999-2000, and large additions were made to capacity. French
Government interests in the New Caledonian nickel industry are being
transferred to local ownership.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $3 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (1998 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $15,000 (1998 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4%

industry: 30%

services: 66% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 79,395 (including 15, 018 unemployed, 1996)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services
70% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate: 19% (1996)

Budget: revenues: $861.3 million

expenditures: $735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52
million (1996 est.)

Industries: nickel mining and smelting

Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (1996)

Electricity - production: 1.52 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.95%

hydro: 21.05%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption: 1.414 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)

Agriculture - products: vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock
products

Exports: $411 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities: ferronickels, nickel ore, fish

Exports - partners: Japan 27%, France 17%, Taiwan 12%, South Korea
9% (1999)

Imports: $843 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities: t