New Caledonia

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2). 276,300 in New Caledonia, all users. L1 users: 68,300 in New Caledonia (2009 census). L2 users: 208,000 (2018).

4 (Educational)

Drehu

[dhv] 4 (Educational). 13,000 (2009), increasing. 60% live in greater Nouméa. Population figure adapted from 2009 census figure of 15,586 includes many second language speakers.

5 (Developing)

Ajië

[aji] 5* (Developing). 5,360 (2009 census), increasing.

Nengone

[nen] 5* (Developing). 8,720 (2009 census), increasing. 53% live in greater Nouméa.

6a (Vigorous)

Xârâcùù

[ane] 6a* (Vigorous). 5,730 (2009 census).

6b (Threatened)

Bislama

[bis] 6b* (Threatened). 2,570 in New Caledonia (2014 census), based on ethnicity.

Caac

[msq] 6b* (Threatened). 1,170 (2009 census), increasing. 33% live in greater Nouméa.

Cemuhî

[cam] 6b* (Threatened). 2,600 (2009 census), increasing.

Drubea

[duf] 6b* (Threatened). 1,210 (2009 census), decreasing. Over a third live outside the traditional language area, mostly in greater Nouméa.

Fagauvea

[uve] 6b* (Threatened). 2,220 (2009 census), increasing. 51% live in greater Nouméa.

Futuna, East

[fud] 6b* (Threatened). 3,850 in New Caledonia (2014 census), based on ethnicity, estimated from global population figure for Futunians and Wallisians (2014 census). Ethnic population: 4,900 (2012 J. Leclerc).

Fwâi

[fwa] 6b* (Threatened). 1,860 (2009 census), increasing. 30% live in greater Nouméa.

Hmwaveke

[mrk] 6b (Threatened). 200 (2009), decreasing. Estimated population based on 2009 census figures for all 6 Voh-Koné languages: 1,203.

Iaai

[iai] 6b (Threatened). 4,080 (2009 census). 57% live in greater Nouméa.

Jawe

[jaz] 6b* (Threatened). 990 (2009 census), increasing.

Nêlêmwa-Nixumwak

[nee] 6b* (Threatened). 1,090 (2009 census).

Nemi

[nem] 6b* (Threatened). 910 (2009 census).

Numèè

[kdk] 6b* (Threatened). 2,180 (2009 census).

Nyelâyu

[yly] 6b* (Threatened). 1,960 (2009 census).

Paicî

[pri] 6b (Threatened). 7,250 (2009 census), increasing.

Wallisian

[wls] 6b (Threatened). 18,100 in New Caledonia (2014 census), based on ethnicity, estimated from global population figure for Futunians and Wallisians (2014 census). Ethnic population: 23,000 (2012 J. Leclerc).

Yuanga

[nua] 6b* (Threatened). 2,400 (2009 census).

7 (Shifting)

Bwatoo

[bwa] 7 (Shifting). 150 (2009), decreasing. Estimated population based on census. 2009 census figures for all 6 Voh-Koné languages: 1,203.

Haveke

[hvk] 7 (Shifting). 300 (2009), decreasing. Estimated population based on 2009 census figures for all Voh-Koné languages: 1,203.

Javanese, New Caledonian

[jas] 7 (Shifting). 3,860 (2014 census), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 11,000 (2012 J. Leclerc).

Orowe

[bpk] 7 (Shifting). 490 (2009 census), decreasing.

Pwaamei

[pme] 7 (Shifting). 290 (2009 census).

Tayo

[cks] 7 (Shifting). 900 (2009 census), decreasing.

Tîrî

[cir] 7 (Shifting). 600 (2009 census), decreasing.

Vamale

[mkt] 7 (Shifting). 100 (2009 census), decreasing. Estimated population based on census. 2009 census figures for all 6 Voh-Koné languages: 1,203.

Xârâgurè

[axx] 7 (Shifting). 760 (2009 census).

8a (Moribund)

Arhâ

[aqr] 8a (Moribund). 170 (2009 census).

Neku

[nek] 8a (Moribund). 130 (2009 census), decreasing. 34% live in greater Nouméa.

Pije

[piz] 8a (Moribund). 180 (2009 census), decreasing.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Arhö

[aok] 8b (Nearly extinct). 10 (Wurm 2000), decreasing. Ethnic population: 350.

Haeke

[aek] 8b (Nearly extinct). 300 (2009), decreasing. Estimated population based on census. 2009 census figures for all 6 Voh-Koné languages: 1,203.

Pwapwâ

[pop] 8b (Nearly extinct). 40 (2006 census), decreasing.

9 (Dormant)

Sîshëë

[sih] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Last known speaker died by the year 2000. Ethnic population: 19 (2009 census).

10 (Extinct)

Waamwang

[wmn] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker probably survived into the 1950s (Sakiyama 2007).

Unestablished

Tahitian

[tah] Unestablished. 5,610 in New Caledonia (2014 census), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 6,800 (2012 J. Leclerc).

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 2,510 in New Caledonia (2014 census), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 3,800 (2012 J. Leclerc).

New Caledonia

Primary tabs

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites