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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.pg

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3,422 (2008)

Internet users [time series]

110,000 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 6 per 100 persons international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

60,000 (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

300,000 (2007)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (all in the Port Moresby area; stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned) (2004)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.363 billion expenditures: $2.21 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

7.38% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

9.78% (31 December 2007)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

kina (PGK)

Current account balance [time series]

$125.8 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

50.9 (1996)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended much of its energy remaining in power. He was the first prime minister ever to serve a full five-year term. The government also brought stability to the national budget, largely through expenditure control; however, it relaxed spending constraints in 2006 and 2007 as elections approached. Numerous challenges still face the government including regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including a worsening HIV/AIDS epidemic and chronic law and order and land tenure issues. Australia will supply more than $300 million in aid in FY07/08, which accounts for nearly 20% of the national budget.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.674 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.875 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

kina (PGK) per US dollar - 3.03 (2007), 3.0643 (2006), 3.08 (2005), 3.2225 (2004), 3.5635 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$4.686 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns

Exports - partners [time series]

Australia 27.3%, Japan 9.5%, China 5.7% (2007)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$6.001 billion (2007 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$12.05 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 34% industry: 37.3% services: 28.7% (2007 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$2,100 (2007 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Imports [time series]

$2.629 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Australia 51.3%, Singapore 11.6%, China 7.9%, Japan 5.7% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6.4% (2007 est.)

Industries [time series]

copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.3% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.557 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 85% industry: NA% services: NA% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$4.863 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

140 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

140 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

29,050 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

39,310 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports [time series]

24,150 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production [time series]

42,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

88 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Public debt [time series]

40.1% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.087 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.486 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$1.685 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$1.482 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.9% up to 80% in urban areas (2004)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than California

Climate [time series]

tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

5,152 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.1 cu km/yr (56%/43%/1%) per capita: 17 cu m/yr (1987)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

6 00 S, 147 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.49% permanent crops: 1.4% other: 98.11% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis

Natural resources [time series]

gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills

Total renewable water resources [time series]

801 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Capital [time series]

name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

16 September 1975

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea local short form: Papuaniugini former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie V. ROWE embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D. mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by governor general on recommendation of prime minister elections: monarch is hereditary; governor general nominated by parliament and appointed by chief of state; following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by governor general

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered

Government type [time series]

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats elections: last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012 election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - National Alliance 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] (2007)

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,481,417 females age 16-49: 1,385,040 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,080,466 females age 16-49: 1,092,040 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 62,865 female: 61,102 (2008 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37.3% (male 1,124,174/female 1,086,478) 15-64 years: 58.7% (male 1,791,342/female 1,690,089) 65 years and over: 4% (male 111,023/female 128,663) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

28.14 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.96 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

60,000 (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 46.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 820 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66 years male: 63.76 years female: 68.35 years (2008 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.3% male: 63.4% female: 50.9% (2000 census)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2008)

Median age [time series]

total: 21.5 years male: 21.6 years female: 21.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean

Net migration rate [time series]

NA (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

5,931,769 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.118% (2008 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.71 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and secessionists

Illicit drugs [time series]

major consumer of cannabis

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 10,177 (Indonesia) (2007)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Papua New Guinea is a country of destination for women and children from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude occurs as well tier rating: Tier 3 - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the current legal framework does not contain elements of crimes that characterize trafficking; the government lacks victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking; the government did not prosecute anyone in 2007 for trafficking; Papua New Guinea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

578 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 557 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 58 under 914 m: 489 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 21 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 6 (UAE 6) (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

oil 264 km (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak

Roadways [time series]

total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (2000)

Waterways [time series]

11,000 km (2006)