World · permanent entity record · PP

Papua New Guinea

Thirty-second orientation

Papua New Guinea at a glance

Capital: Port Moresby; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 10,762,817; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 462,840 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Papua New Guinean(s); adjective: Papua New Guinean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 living indigenous languages are spoken (about 12% of the world's total); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Papua New Guinea through time

1975-10-10
Admitted to the United Nations
Papua New Guinea became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	10,762,817World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 10,273,996 (2025 est.) male: 5,206,211 female: 5,067,785CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $32.5 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $3,020; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 66.3 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 15.8%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 43.3%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 18.8%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Port Moresby; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 462,840 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 10,762,817; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: kina (PGK); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 living indigenous languages are spoken (about 12% of the world's total); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Papua New Guinean(s); adjective: Papua New Guinean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1975-10-10; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Asia; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “East and Southeast Asia.”
Coastline: 5,152 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Protestant 64.3% (Evangelical Lutheran 18.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.9%, Pentecostal 10.4%, United Church 10.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.9%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.8%, Salvation Army 0.4%), Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%, unspecified 3.1% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the citizen population; roughly 0.3% of the population are non-citizens, consisting of Christian 52% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 10.7% , none 37.3%; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, yellow, black, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: bird of paradise; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Mount Wilhelm · 14,793 ft (4,509 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-18 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea; the western half is part of Indonesia. PNG was first settled between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. Its harsh geography of mountains, jungles, and numerous river valleys kept many of the arriving groups isolated, giving rise to PNG’s ethnic and linguistic diversity. Around 500 B.C., Austronesian voyagers settled along the coast. Spanish and Portuguese explorers periodically visited the island starting in the 1500s, but none made it into the country’s interior. American and British whaling ships frequented the islands off the coast of New Guinea in the mid-1800s. In 1884, Germany declared a protectorate -- and eventually a colony -- over the northern part of what would become PNG and named it German New Guinea; days later the UK followed suit on the southern part and nearby islands and called it Papua. Most of their focus was on the coastal regions, leaving the highlands largely unexplored. The UK put its colony under Australian administration in 1902 and formalized the act in 1906. At the outbreak of World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea and continued to rule it after the war as a League of Nations Mandate. The discovery of gold along the Bulolo River in the 1920s led prospectors to venture into the highlands, where they found about 1 million people living in isolated communities. The New Guinea campaign of World War II lasted from January 1942 to the Japanese surrender in August 1945. After the war, Australia combined the two territories and administered PNG as a UN trusteeship. In 1975, PNG gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth. Between 1988-1997, a secessionist movement on the island province of Bougainville, located off the eastern PNG coast, fought the PNG Government, resulting in 15,000-20,000 deaths. In 1997, the PNG Government and Bougainville leaders reached a cease-fire and subsequently signed a peace agreement in 2001. The Autonomous Bougainville Government was formally established in 2005. Bougainvilleans voted in favor of independence in a 2019 non-binding referendum. The Bougainville and PNG governments are in the process of negotiating a roadmap for independence, which requires approval by the PNG parliament.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area: total : 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area - comparative: slightly larger than California; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land boundaries: total: 824 km border countries (1): Indonesia 824 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Coastline: 5,152 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 667 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 3.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 75.2% (2023 est.) other: 21.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Sepik river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,126 km; Fly river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,050 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one fifth of the population residing in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural hazards: active volcanism; frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis volcanism: severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (2,334 m), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (688 m) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951, killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa; see note 2 under "Geography - note"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geography - note: note 1: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; highlands that trend from east to west break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps lies along the southwest coast note 2: Papua New Guinea is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

People and Society35 fields

Population: total: 10,273,996 (2025 est.) male: 5,206,211 female: 5,067,785; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Languages: Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 living indigenous languages are spoken (about 12% of the world's total) note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Religions: Protestant 64.3% (Evangelical Lutheran 18.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.9%, Pentecostal 10.4%, United Church 10.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.9%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.8%, Salvation Army 0.4%), Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%, unspecified 3.1% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the citizen population; roughly 0.3% of the population are non-citizens, consisting of Christian 52% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 10.7% , none 37.3%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,902,272/female 1,825,471) 15-64 years: 58.9% (male 2,991,479/female 2,923,410) 65 years and over: 4% (2024 est.) (male 198,511/female 205,090); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 69.4 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 62.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 14.2 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Median age: total: 21.9 years (2025 est.) male: 21.6 years female: 21.9 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population growth rate: 2.22% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Birth rate: 27.57 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one fifth of the population residing in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 13.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major urban areas - population: 410,000 PORT MORESBY (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.9 years (2016/18) note: data represents median age a first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 189 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 31.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.1 years (2024 est.) male: 68.3 years female: 71.9 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.72 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.82 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 86.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 44.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 50.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 13.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 55.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 49.8% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Health expenditure: 2.3% of GDP (2021) 7% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Physician density: 0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Hospital bed density: 0.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 57.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 18.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 23.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 42.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 81.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 76.4% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.3% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Tobacco use: total: 38.9% (2025 est.) male: 53.4% (2025 est.) female: 23.8% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 66.9% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8% (2018) women married by age 18: 27.3% (2018) men married by age 18: 3.7% (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Education expenditure: 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.5% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Literacy: total population: 70.1% (2017 est.) male: 78.4% (2017 est.) female: 61.6% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
People - note: the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: rainforest loss as a result of commercial demand for tropical timber; soil erosion, water-quality degradation, and loss of habitat from logging; effects of large-scale mining projects (discharge of heavy metals, cyanide, and acids into rivers); severe drought; land degradation from poor farming practices; poor fishing practices; coastal pollution due to runoff and oil spills; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 3.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 75.2% (2023 est.) other: 21.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 13.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 4.467 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 1.33 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 223.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 167.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total renewable water resources: 801 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Government24 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea local short form: Papuaniugini former: German New Guinea, British New Guinea, Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG etymology: the name derives from the Malay word pua-pua, describing the tightly curled hair of the Papuan people; Spanish explorer Ynigo ORTIZ de RETEZ applied the term "Nueva Guinea" to the island in 1545 because he thought the locals resembled the peoples of the Guinea coast of Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Capital: name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 27 S, 147 11 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11) etymology: named in 1873 by Captain John MORESBY in honor of his father, British Admiral Sir Fairfax MORESBY (1786-1877); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces, 1 autonomous region*, and 1 district**; Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Hela, Jiwaka, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain, West Sepik; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legal system: mixed system of English common law and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Constitution: history: adopted 15 August 1975, effective at independence 16 September 1975 amendment process: proposed by the National Parliament; passage has prescribed majority vote requirements depending on the constitutional sections being amended – absolute majority, two-thirds majority, or three-fourths majority; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017) head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general nominated by the National Parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister, pending a National Parliament vote election results: James MARAPE reelected prime minister; National Parliament vote - 105 out of 118; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 118 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/4/2022 to 7/22/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Papua & Niugini Union Pati (PANGU) (39); People's National Congress Party (PNC) (15); United Resource Party (URP) (11); Others (40); Independents (10) percentage of women in chamber: 2.7% expected date of next election: July 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, 35 justices, and 5 acting justices); National Courts (consists of 13 courts located in the provincial capitals, with a total of 19 resident judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on advice of the National Executive Council (cabinet) after consultation with the National Justice Administration minister; deputy chief justice and other justices appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body that includes the Supreme Court chief and deputy chief justices, the chief ombudsman, and a member of the National Parliament; full-time citizen judges appointed for 10-year renewable terms; non-citizen judges initially appointed for 3-year renewable terms and after first renewal can serve until age 70; appointment and tenure of National Court resident judges NA subordinate courts: district, village, and juvenile courts, military courts, taxation courts, coronial courts, mining warden courts, land courts, traffic courts, committal courts, grade five courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Political parties: Destiny Party Liberal Party Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP Melanesian Liberal Party or MLP National Alliance Party or NAP Our Development Party or ODP Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI Papua New Guinea Greens Party Papua New Guinea National Party Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP People's First Party or PFP People's Movement for Change or PMC People's National Congress Party or PNC People’s National Party People's Party or PP People's Progress Party or PPP People's Reform Party or PRP Social Democratic Party or SDP Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party or THE United Labor Party or ULP United Resources Party or URP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arnold Karibone AMET (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 email address and website: info@pngembassy.org http://www.pngembassy.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 22 February 2024); note - also accredited to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu embassy: Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby Pl, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 308-9100 email address and website: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov https://pg.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CD, CP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australia-administered UN trusteeship); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Flag: description: divided diagonally from upper-left corner; the upper triangle is red and has a soaring yellow bird of paradise in the center; the lower triangle is black with five five-pointed white stars of the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red, black, and yellow are the country's traditional colors; the bird of paradise is an emblem of regional tribal culture and represents the emergence of Papua New Guinea as a nation; the Southern Cross symbolizes the country's connection with Australia and several other countries in the South Pacific; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National symbol(s): bird of paradise; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National color(s): red, black; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National coat of arms: Papua New Guinea's coat of arms was adopted on July 1, 1971, and features the country's national symbol, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise; the bird stands for the nation's freedom and rich natural environment; the traditional spear under the bird represents the country's ethnic groups and the protection of its heritage, and the Kundu drum, which is used in ceremonies, represents local artistic traditions and communication; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National anthem(s): title: "O Arise, All You Sons" lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY history: adopted 1975; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Kuk Early Agricultural Site; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Economy28 fields

Economic overview: lower-middle-income Pacific island economy; primarily informal agrarian sector; natural-resource-rich and key exporter of liquified natural gas; collapse in betel nut prices, tighter monetary policy, and improved foreign-exchange availability contributing to declining inflation; challenges include lack of progress in infrastructure, agricultural reform, and corruption; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $45.487 billion (2024 est.) $43.697 billion (2023 est.) $42.093 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 4.1% (2024 est.) 3.8% (2023 est.) 5.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP per capita: $4,300 (2024 est.) $4,200 (2023 est.) $4,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $32.538 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.6% (2024 est.) 2.3% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 17.2% (2024 est.) industry: 37.2% (2024 est.) services: 41.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 43.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.3% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, coconuts, bananas, fruits, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, root vegetables, vegetables, sugarcane (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industries: oil and gas; mining (gold, copper, and nickel); palm oil processing; plywood and wood chip production; copra crushing; construction; tourism; fishing; livestock (pork, poultry, cattle) and dairy farming; spice products (turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, chili, pepper, citronella, and nutmeg); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Labor force: 3.66 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 2.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 3.8% (2024 est.) male: 4.6% (2024 est.) female: 3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Remittances: 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Budget: revenues: $5.518 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $6.856 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Public debt: 52.4% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 15.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Current account balance: $4.183 billion (2023 est.) $4.567 billion (2022 est.) $3.284 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports: $12.93 billion (2023 est.) $14.862 billion (2022 est.) $11.032 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - partners: China 28%, Japan 25%, Australia 17%, Taiwan 8%, India 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - commodities: natural gas, gold, copper ore, palm oil, nickel (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports: $7.192 billion (2023 est.) $8.568 billion (2022 est.) $6.43 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - partners: Australia 27%, China 24%, Singapore 15%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, trucks, rice, plastic products, excavation machinery (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.901 billion (2023 est.) $3.983 billion (2022 est.) $3.24 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Debt - external: $7.011 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exchange rates: kina (PGK) per US dollar - 3.59 (2023 est.) 3.519 (2022 est.) 3.509 (2021 est.) 3.46 (2020 est.) 3.388 (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 19% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 65.1% electrification - rural areas: 14.2%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.148 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 4.399 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 328.234 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 76.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 21.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Coal: imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 30,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 159.656 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural gas: production: 11.57 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 677.736 million cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 10.892 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 183.125 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 8.781 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 166,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadcast media: 5 TV stations: 1 commercial (TV Wan), 2 state-run (National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV); 1 digital free-to-view network, and 1 satellite network (Click TV or PNGTV); the state-run NBC operates 3 radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations; several commercial radio stations with multiple transmission points as well as several community stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet country code: .pg; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 24% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 22,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: P2; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Airports: 569 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Heliports: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Merchant marine: total: 205 (2023) by type: container ship 6, general cargo 89, oil tanker 4, other 106; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Ports: total ports: 22 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 6 very small: 16 ports with oil terminals: 8 key ports: Kavieng Harbor, Kieta, Port Moresby, Rabaul, Vanimo, Wewak Harbor; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF): Land, Air, Maritime elements Ministry of Internal Security: Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military expenditures: 0.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 4,000 active PNGDF (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the PNGDF is lightly armed; the Land Force has no heavy weapons while the Air and the Maritime forces have a handful of light aircraft and small patrol boats provided by Australia and New Zealand (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 (30 for officers) for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military - note: the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) is tasked with defense of the country and its territories against external attack, as well as internal security and socio-economic development duties; following some inter-tribal violence in Wapenamanda in 2024, the PNGDF was given arrest powers since 2023, Papua New Guinea has signed bilateral defense cooperation agreements with Australia, Indonesia, the UK, and the US; the 2023 defense cooperation agreement with the US allowed the US military to develop and operate out of bases in PNG with the PNG Government’s approval; PNG has also military relations with France and New Zealand and has discussed a security cooperation agreement with China the PNGDF was established in 1973, and its primary combat unit, the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (RPIR), is descended from Australian Army infantry battalions comprised of native soldiers and led by Australian officers and non-commissioned officers formed during World War II to help fight the Japanese; the RPIR was disbanded after the war, but reestablished in 1951 as part of the Australian Army where it continued to serve until PNG gained its independence in 1975, when it became part of the PNGDF (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 10,983 (2024 est.) IDPs: 107,985 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 3 — Papua New Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, Papua New Guinea remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/papua-new-guinea/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

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Papua New Guinea at a glance

Papua New Guinea through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile