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

Health

live 17.5 years less

In New Caledonia, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 61 years (60 years for men, 62 years for women) as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Economy

be 96.5% less likely to be unemployed

In New Caledonia, 11.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Niger, that number is 0.4% as of 2025.

View global rankings →

make 97.3% less money

New Caledonia has a GDP per capita of $29,213 as of 2024, while in Niger, the GDP per capita is $775 as of 2025.

View global rankings →

Life

have 3.0 times more children

In New Caledonia, there are approximately 14.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Niger, there are 41.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Basic Needs

be 79.9% less likely to have access to electricity

In New Caledonia, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Niger, that number is 20% of people on average (67% in urban areas, and 10% in rural areas) as of 2023.

View global rankings →

be 81.0% less likely to have internet access

In New Caledonia, approximately 82.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Niger, about 15.6% do as of 2024.

View global rankings →

be 46.3% less likely to have access to drinking water

In New Caledonia, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Niger, 53% of people do as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Safety

be 41.9% more likely to be murdered

New Caledonia has a homicide rate of 3.1 per 100,000 people as of 2009. In Niger, that number is 4.4 per 100,000 as of 2012.

View global rankings →

Infrastructure

find 99.4% less home broadband

New Caledonia has 19.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Niger has 0.1 as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Environment

emit 99.3% less CO2

New Caledonia emits 17.1 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Niger emits 0.1 tonnes as of 2024.

View global rankings →


Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2009–2012), The World Factbook (2021). How we calculate this

Niger: At a glance

Niger is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 1,266,700 sq km. Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution, and dissolved the Cabinet. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou emerged victorious from a crowded field in the election following the coup and was inaugurated in April 2011. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Movement for Justice, a predominantly ethnic Tuareg rebel group, emerged in February 2007, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 ended the rebellion. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.
Read more

How big is Niger compared to New Caledonia? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

Ask the Elsewhere Community

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Niger or New Caledonia. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.