Population of Melanesia 2023: Facts and Figures
Melanesia is a subregion in Oceania, comprising of several countries, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia. This region is known for its rich cultural diversity and unique traditions. However, when it comes to the population, Melanesia’s numbers may surprise you.
Melanesia Population in 2022
As of November 7, 2022, the estimated population of Melanesia stands at 11,598,452, according to the latest data from the United Nations. This number accounts for 0.14% of the world’s population.
Population Density in Melanesia
With a total land area of 529,590 Km2 (204,476 sq. miles), the population density in Melanesia is 21 per Km2 (54 people per mi2). This is lower than the average population density of the world.
Urbanization in Melanesia
In 2019, 19.2% of the population in Melanesia was urban, which translates to 2,137,864 people. Despite the low urbanization rate, some cities in Melanesia are experiencing rapid growth, especially in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Median Age in Melanesia
The median age in Melanesia is 22.8 years, which is significantly lower than the global median age of 31 years. This means that Melanesia has a relatively young population, which could have both advantages and disadvantages for the region’s development.
Melanesia’s Ranking in Oceania
Melanesia ranks number 2 among subregions in Oceania when it comes to population, after Polynesia. This means that Melanesia has a larger population than Micronesia and other smaller islands in the region.
Countries in Melanesia
| Country | Population (2020) |
|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | 8,947,024 |
| Fiji | 896,445 |
| Solomon Islands | 686,884 |
| Vanuatu | 307,145 |
| New Caledonia | 285,498 |
Population of Melanesia in 2020 and it’s Historical
| Year | Population | Annual % Change |
Annual Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop. % |
Urban Population | Melanesia’s Share of World Pop. |
World Population | Melanesia Rank within Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11,122,996 | 1.9 % | 200,256 | -8,000 | 22.8 | 3.53 | 21 | 19.2 % | 2,137,864 | 0.2 % | 7,794,798,739 | 2 |
| 2020 | 11,122,996 | 1.87 % | 204,479 | -7,979 | 22.2 | 3.69 | 21 | 19.2 % | 2,137,864 | 0.1 % | 7,794,798,739 | 2 |
| 2019 | 10,918,517 | 1.90 % | 203,181 | -7,979 | 22.2 | 3.69 | 21 | 19.1 % | 2,087,503 | 0.1 % | 7,713,468,100 | |
| 2018 | 10,715,336 | 1.91 % | 201,142 | -7,979 | 22.2 | 3.69 | 20 | 19.0 % | 2,038,813 | 0.1 % | 7,631,091,040 | 2 |
| 2017 | 10,514,194 | 1.92 % | 198,074 | -7,979 | 22.2 | 3.69 | 20 | 18.9 % | 1,991,787 | 0.1 % | 7,547,858,925 | 2 |
| 2016 | 10,316,120 | 1.92 % | 194,405 | -7,979 | 22.2 | 3.69 | 19 | 18.9 % | 1,946,495 | 0.1 % | 7,464,022,049 | 2 |
| 2015 | 10,121,715 | 1.95 % | 186,758 | -11,800 | 22.1 | 3.73 | 19 | 18.8 % | 1,902,879 | 0.1 % | 7,379,797,139 | 2 |
| 2010 | 9,187,924 | 2.22 % | 191,155 | -200 | 21.6 | 3.95 | 17 | 18.6 % | 1,706,095 | 0.1 % | 6,956,823,603 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8,232,149 | 1.95 % | 151,731 | -30,000 | 21.0 | 4.17 | 16 | 18.4 % | 1,518,646 | 0.1 % | 6,541,907,027 | 2 |
| 2000 | 7,473,493 | 2.26 % | 158,055 | -14,100 | 20.1 | 4.41 | 14 | 18.2 % | 1,361,543 | 0.1 % | 6,143,493,823 | 2 |
| 1995 | 6,683,217 | 2.27 % | 142,006 | -11,200 | 19.5 | 4.51 | 13 | 18.6 % | 1,243,546 | 0.1 % | 5,744,212,979 | 2 |
| 1990 | 5,973,187 | 2.23 % | 124,726 | -15,000 | 18.9 | 4.75 | 11 | 18.8 % | 1,121,154 | 0.1 % | 5,327,231,061 | 2 |
| 1985 | 5,349,559 | 2.63 % | 130,352 | -2,500 | 18.5 | 5.20 | 10 | 17.8 % | 952,534 | 0.1 % | 4,870,921,740 | 2 |
| 1980 | 4,697,799 | 2.56 % | 111,541 | -6,700 | 18.2 | 5.58 | 9 | 16.9 % | 795,860 | 0.1 % | 4,458,003,514 | 2 |
| 1975 | 4,140,096 | 2.53 % | 97,092 | -2,400 | 18.1 | 5.83 | 8 | 15.9 % | 657,980 | 0.1 % | 4,079,480,606 | 2 |
| 1970 | 3,654,634 | 2.36 % | 80,589 | -600 | 18.0 | 6.04 | 7 | 13.9 % | 507,313 | 0.1 % | 3,700,437,046 | 2 |
| 1965 | 3,251,691 | 2.25 % | 68,551 | 1,500 | 18.0 | 6.24 | 6 | 5.1 % | 166,976 | 0.1 % | 3,339,583,597 | 2 |
| 1960 | 2,908,934 | 1.91 % | 52,584 | -600 | 18.4 | 6.34 | 5 | 8.1 % | 234,243 | 0.1 % | 3,034,949,748 | 2 |
| 1955 | 2,646,016 | 1.19 % | 30,513 | -4,200 | 19.0 | 6.30 | 5 | 6.3 % | 166,976 | 0.1 % | 2,773,019,936 | 2 |
Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant.
Melanesia Population Future Forecast
| Year | Population | Yearly % Change |
Yearly Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop % |
Urban Population | Melanesia’s Share of World Pop |
World Population | Melanesia Rank within Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11,122,996 | 1.9 % | 200,256 | -8,000 | 22.8 | 3.53 | 21 | 19.2 % | 2,137,864 | 0.2 % | 7,794,798,739 | 2 |
| 2025 | 12,164,423 | 1.81 % | 208,285 | -5,300 | 23.7 | 3.54 | 23 | 19.9 % | 2,418,045 | 0.2 % | 8,184,437,460 | 2 |
| 2030 | 13,234,365 | 1.7 % | 213,988 | -3,600 | 24.6 | 3.55 | 25 | 20.8 % | 2,757,285 | 0.2 % | 8,548,487,400 | 2 |
| 2035 | 14,314,758 | 1.58 % | 216,079 | -3,600 | 25.6 | 3.56 | 27 | 22.2 % | 3,172,470 | 0.2 % | 8,887,524,213 | 2 |
| 2040 | 15,386,702 | 1.45 % | 214,389 | -3,600 | 26.5 | 3.57 | 29 | 23.9 % | 3,676,832 | 0.2 % | 9,198,847,240 | 2 |
| 2045 | 16,441,241 | 1.33 % | 210,908 | -3,600 | 27.4 | 3.58 | 31 | 25.8 % | 4,246,884 | 0.2 % | 9,481,803,274 | 2 |
| 2050 | 17,468,803 | 1.22 % | 205,512 | -3,600 | 28.2 | 3.59 | 33 | 27.9 % | 4,877,843 | 0.2 % | 9,735,033,990 | 2 |
Understanding the Demographics of Melanesia: Key Terms Explained
Melanesia, a region in Oceania, is home to diverse populations with unique cultures and languages. Understanding key demographic terms and statistics can help provide insight into the makeup and trends of this region’s population.
Population:
A total number of people The total population of Melanesia is estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This includes both sexes and all ages as of July 1 of the year indicated. According to the World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision, the U.N. medium-fertility variant is used for forecasted years.
Yearly (Annual) % Change:
Percentage change in total population over the last year For 2019, the yearly % change is the percentage change in the total population from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. For all other years, the latest year’s annual percentage change equivalent is assumed, assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five-year period, calculated through reverse compounding.
Yearly (Annual) Change:
Absolute change in total population over the last year The yearly change for 2019 is the absolute change in the total population, either an increase or decrease in the number of people, from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. For all other years, the average annual numerical change is calculated over the preceding five-year period.
Migrants (net):
The average annual number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants Migrants (net) refers to the average annual number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants over the preceding five-year period, running from July 1 to June 30 of the initial and final years, or subsequent five-year period for 2016 data. A negative number means that there are more emigrants than immigrants.
Median Age:
The age divides the population into two numerically equal groups The median age is the age that divides the population into two numerically equal groups, with half of the people being older than the median age indicated and half being younger. This provides an indication of the age distribution of the population.
Fertility Rate:
The average number of children per woman during her reproductive period Fertility rate (Total Fertility Rate, or TFR) is expressed as children per woman. It is calculated as the average number of children an average woman will have during her reproductive period (15 to 49 years old), based on the current fertility rates of every age group in the countries within Melanesia, assuming she is not subject to mortality.
Density (P/Km²):
Population per square Kilometer Density (P/Km²) refers to the population per square kilometer (Km²) in a given area.
Urban Pop %:
Urban population as a percentage of total population Urban Pop % refers to the urban population as a percentage of the total population in a given area.
Urban Population:
Population living in areas classified as urban The urban population refers to the population living in areas classified as urban according to the criteria used by each country.
Melanesia’s Share of World Pop:
Total population as a percentage of total World Population Melanesia’s share of the world population is the total population as a percentage of the total world population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
World Population:
The total world population as of July 1 of the year indicated World population refers to the total population of the world as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Rank within Oceania:
Position held by Melanesia in the list of all regions within Oceania ranked by population The rank within Oceania is the position held by Melanesia in the list of all regions within Oceania ranked by
See also Related: Population of Melanesia
- Population of Algeria
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Algeria
- Demographics of Africa
- World Demographics
- Demographics
- Population
Related Topics: Population of Melanesia
Sources: Population of Melanesia
- GeoNames
- World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision – United Nations Population Division
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- World Urbanization Prospects – Population Division – United Nations
- United Nations Statistics Division
- World Bank
