Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Bhutan instead of New Caledonia, you would:

Health

live 5.7 years less

In New Caledonia, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 73 years (72 years for men, 75 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 71.1% less likely to be unemployed

In New Caledonia, 11.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Bhutan, that number is 3.2% as of 2025.

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make 84.6% less money

New Caledonia has a GDP per capita of $29,213 as of 2024, while in Bhutan, the GDP per capita is $4,493 as of 2025.

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Life

have 10.7% fewer children

In New Caledonia, there are approximately 14.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Bhutan, there are 12.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 11.3% more likely to have internet access

In New Caledonia, approximately 82.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Bhutan, about 91.3% do as of 2024.

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Infrastructure

find 84.9% less home broadband

New Caledonia has 19.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Bhutan has 2.9 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 88.2% less CO2

New Caledonia emits 17.1 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Bhutan emits 2.0 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2021). How we calculate this

Compare further: New Caledonia vs. Bhutan

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Bhutan is 78.6% cheaper than New Caledonia overall
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Size Comparison · See true size
New Caledonia is about 2.1 times smaller than Bhutan.
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Moving from New Caledonia to Bhutan · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
→

Bhutan: At a glance

Bhutan is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 38,394 sq km. In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following parliamentary elections in 2013, which routed the incumbent party. The disposition of some 30,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.
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