Papua New Guinea
Region
🌍 Oceania
Population
👥 11
Currency
💱 Papua New Guinean kina
Languages
🗣️ English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Continent
Oceania
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Papua New Guinean
Independence
September 16, 1975
Top-Level Domain
.pg
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+675
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+10:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Port Moresby
ISO Alpha-2
PG
ISO Alpha-3
PNG
UN Code
598
Geographic Coordinates
-6,147
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
462,840#55 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
11,781,559#84 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
22.94
Highest Point (m)
4,509 meters (Mount Wilhelm)
Lowest Point (m)
0 meters (Pacific Ocean)
Land Use
Primarily forest and agricultural land.
Irrigated Land
Limited irrigated land.
Coastline Length
4,652 kilometers
Climate
Tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); little seasonal variation.
Natural Resources
Gold, copper, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Indonesia
Major Rivers
Fly River, Sepik River, Purari River, Markham River
Major Lakes
Lake Murray, Lake Kutubu
Government Type
Parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy
Administrative Divisions
20 provinces and the National Capital District
Legal System
Based on English common law; customary law also applies.
Chief of State
King Charles III, represented by a Governor-General
Head of Government
Prime Minister James Marape
Cabinet
The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Elections
Elections are held every five years for the Parliament.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court, National Court, and District Courts
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Parliament
Major Political Parties
Pangu Party, People's National Congress, United Resources Party, and others
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Papua New Guinean kina
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
32.5#112 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
56.13#133 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3,019.53#162 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
17.02
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
36.53
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
41.96
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
4.42#53 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3,746,653
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.57#161 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
52.01
Budget
The government budget is primarily funded by revenue from resource extraction, taxes, and international aid.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2004)Checked September 29, 2026
2.83#149 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2004)Checked September 29, 2026
2.31#161 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Significant foreign reserves, primarily in US dollars.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found through major financial websites and banks.
GDP by Sector
Primarily agriculture, services, and industry.
Major Industries
Mining (gold, copper, oil), agriculture (coffee, cocoa, palm oil), tourism, and forestry.
Major Export Partners
Australia, Japan, China, and Singapore.
Major Import Partners
Australia, Singapore, China, and Malaysia.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2022)Checked September 29, 2026
87#111 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
24.3
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
6.6
Net Migration Rate
Slightly negative net migration rate.
Median Age
Approximately 22 years (2022 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
15.78#213 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Slow urbanization rate.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
66.3#180 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Approximately 0.9% (2021 est.)
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
2.87
Ethnic Groups
Melanesian (84%), Papuan, Micronesian, Polynesian, and other groups.
Religions
Christianity (predominant), traditional indigenous beliefs.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
Education
Education System
The education system in Papua New Guinea is based on a 6-6-2 structure: 6 years of primary, 6 years of secondary, and 2 years of tertiary education.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (1998)Checked September 29, 2026
5.4
Government Education Spending
Government expenditure on education is around 4% of GDP.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
Major universities include the University of Papua New Guinea and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Papua New Guinea is incredibly diverse, with hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages, each with unique traditions and customs. Village life and kinship ties are central to the culture.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Good Friday (2026-04-03)
- Holy Saturday (2026-04-04)
- Easter Sunday (2026-04-05)
- Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
- Queen's Birthday (2026-06-08)
- Remembrance Day (2026-07-23)
- Repentance Day (2026-08-26)
- Independence Day (2026-09-16)
- Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
- St. Stephen's Day (2026-12-26)
Popular Music
Popular music includes various indigenous musical styles and increasingly, contemporary genres like reggae and pop.
Traditional Food
Traditional foods include sago, taro, sweet potato, and various meats and fish, often cooked in earth ovens.
Sports
Rugby league is the most popular sport, followed by soccer.
Major Festivals
Major festivals include the Goroka Show and the Mount Hagen Cultural Show, showcasing diverse cultural performances.
Famous People
Notable figures include Michael Somare (first Prime Minister) and various artists, athletes, and political figures.
Cultural Heritage Sites
There are numerous sites of cultural significance, with many yet to be formally recognized.
UNESCO Sites
Papua New Guinea has one UNESCO World Heritage site: the Kuk Early Agricultural Site.
Annual Tourist Visits
Relatively low, but increasing annually.
Tourism Overview
Tourism is growing, focused on adventure, culture, and nature.
Top Tourist Attractions
Kokoda Track, Port Moresby, diving/snorkeling, cultural festivals.
Famous Cities
Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen.
National Parks
Several national parks, protecting diverse ecosystems.
Protected Areas
Significant areas under protection, covering various habitats.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visas generally required; check specific requirements based on nationality.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Exercise a high degree of caution due to high crime rates.
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
Healthcare quality varies, with lower scores in rural areas.
Medical Cost
Medical costs can be high, particularly for specialized care.
Number of Hospitals
There are hospitals, but their distribution and capacity are limited.
Universal Healthcare
Papua New Guinea's healthcare system is primarily public, but access and quality vary significantly, especially in rural areas; universal healthcare is not fully implemented.
Medical Services Overview
Limited access to specialized medical services, particularly outside urban centers.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, but response times can be slow in some areas.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
The emergency number for the police is 111.
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
The emergency number for ambulances is 111.
Emergency Number (Fire)
The emergency number for fire services is 111.
Crime Rate
Crime rates vary, but generally, the crime rate index is considered to be high.
Safety Index
The safety index is relatively low due to high crime rates in some areas.
Military Expenditure
Military expenditure is a small percentage of GDP.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services are available, but their effectiveness can be limited due to resource constraints and logistical challenges.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) consists of the Land Element, Maritime Element, and Air Element.
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
Electricity access is limited, especially in rural areas.
Water Access
Access to clean water varies, with improvements needed in many areas.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is a significant challenge, particularly in rural areas.
Railways
This country has no railways.
Roadways
Road infrastructure is limited, with many roads unpaved and in poor condition.
Transportation System
Transportation is challenging in Papua New Guinea, with limited road infrastructure and reliance on air travel, particularly in the highlands. Boats are essential for coastal regions.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport (LAE), Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM), Baimuru Airport (VMU), Balimo Airport (OPU), Buka Airport (BUA), Chimbu Airport (CMU)
Ports
Major ports include Port Moresby and Lae.
Public Transit
Public transportation options are available in urban areas, typically consisting of buses and taxis, but services are often unreliable.
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
18.81#194 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Approximately 40 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.
Tech Startups
Limited tech startup ecosystem; emerging.
Innovation Index
Low ranking on global innovation indices.
ICT Development Index
Low ICT Development Index score.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited number of TV broadcast stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Numerous radio stations, including community and national.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.52#160 of 202
Air Quality Index
Data on air quality is limited; air pollution may be present in urban areas due to industrial activity and vehicle emissions.
Water Pollution Level
Water pollution is a significant concern due to mining, industrial waste, and sewage discharge affecting rivers and coastal areas.
Renewable Energy Usage
Limited use of renewable energy; some potential for hydropower but underdevelopment.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, pollution from mining, soil erosion, and coastal degradation are major environmental issues.
Natural Hazards
Earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, and cyclones are significant natural hazards.
Waste Management
Waste management infrastructure is inadequate, leading to improper disposal and environmental problems.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international agreements on climate change, biodiversity, and ozone layer protection.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Has diplomatic missions in several countries, including Australia, China, and the United States.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Commonwealth
Major Treaties
Part of major international treaties concerning climate change, human rights, and trade.
Visa-Free Countries
Visa-free travel agreements with some countries, primarily within the Pacific region.