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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 TV stations, 1 commercial station operating since the late 1980s, and 1 state-run station launched in 2008; satellite and cable TV services are available; state-run National Broadcasting Corporation 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 (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.pg

Internet users [time series]

total: 527,000 | percent of population: 7.9% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162

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 although combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to roughly 55 per 100 persons | international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 150,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 3.56 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $3.893 billion | expenditures: $4.981 billion (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-6.8% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188

Central bank discount rate [time series]

14% (31 December 2010) | 6.92% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 14

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.73% (31 December 2015 est.) | 9.38% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Current account balance [time series]

$444 million (2015 est.) | -$703 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Debt - external [time series]

$20.41 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $20.05 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

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

50.9 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 17

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain, land tenure issues, and the high cost of developing infrastructure. The economy has a small formal sector, focused mainly on the export of those natural resources, and an informal sector, employing the majority of the population. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the people. The global financial crisis had little impact because of continued foreign demand for PNG's commodities. | Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. Natural gas reserves amount to an estimated 155 billion cubic meters. A consortium led by a major American oil company is constructing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility that began exporting in April 2014. As the largest investment project in the country's history, it has the potential to double GDP in the near-term and triple Papua New Guinea's export revenue. An American-owned firm also opened PNG's first oil refinery in 2004 and is building a second LNG production facility. The government faces the challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability for revenues flowing from this and other large LNG projects. In 2011 and 2012, the National Parliament passed legislation that created an offshore Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage government surpluses from mineral, oil, and natural gas projects. In recent years, the government has opened up markets in telecommunications and air transport, making both more affordable to the people. | Numerous challenges still face the government of Peter O'NEILL, including providing physical security for foreign investors, regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and maintaining good relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including chronic law and order and land tenure issues.

Exchange rates [time series]

kina (PGK) per US dollar - | 2.7684 (2015 est.) | 2.4614 (2014 est.) | 2.4614 (2013 est.) | 2.08 (2012 est.) | 2.371 (2011 est.)

Exports [time series]

$8.377 billion (2015 est.) | $8.758 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 17.4%, Australia 15.9%, China 12.1% (2015)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$16.09 billion (2015 est.)

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

$20.47 billion (2015 est.) | $18.78 billion (2014 est.) | $17.3 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 135

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 23% | industry: 37.8% | services: 39.2% (2015 est.)

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

$2,700 (2015 est.) | $2,500 (2014 est.) | $2,400 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 180

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

9% (2015 est.) | 8.5% (2014 est.) | 5.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

Gross national saving [time series]

38.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | 24% of GDP (2014 est.) | -11.7% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$2.267 billion (2015 est.) | $4.008 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Australia 25.9%, China 20%, Singapore 12.6%, Malaysia 7.2%, US 4.2%, Indonesia 4.1%, South Korea 4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10.8% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6% (2015 est.) | 5.2% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185

Labor force [time series]

4.267 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$10.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $8.999 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | $9.742 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Population below poverty line [time series]

37% (2002 est.)

Public debt [time series]

36.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | 36.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.738 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.305 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Stock of broad money [time series]

$8.085 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $7.477 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

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]

$6.118 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $6.125 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$4.936 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $5.181 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

24.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.9% (2008 est.) | 1.6% (2004) | country comparison to the world: 11

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

3.7 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Crude oil - exports [time series]

25,400 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Crude oil - imports [time series]

14,880 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Crude oil - production [time series]

52,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

200 million bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 62

Electricity - consumption [time series]

3 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

61.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

30.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

900,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - production [time series]

3.2 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 5,568,879 | electrification - total population: 18% | electrification - urban areas: 72% | electrification - rural areas: 10% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

100 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - exports [time series]

4.65 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - production [time series]

4.75 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

151.3 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 48

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

42,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

8,062 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

21,180 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

28,340 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 462,840 sq km | land: 452,860 sq km | water: 9,980 sq km | country comparison to the world: 55

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 [time series]

mean elevation: 667 m | elevation extremes: 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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

6 00 S, 147 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; generally east-west trending highlands break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 824 km | border countries (1): Indonesia 824 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 2.6% | arable land 0.7%; permanent crops 1.5%; permanent pasture 0.4% | forest: 63.1% | other: 34.3% (2011 est.)

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 | volcanism: severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (elev. 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 (elev. 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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Port Moresby | geographic coordinates: 9 27 S, 147 11 E | time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

adopted 15 August 1975, effective at independence 16 September 1975; amended many times, last in 2013; note - in September 2015, the Supreme Court nullified the 2013 constitutional amendment that increased the grace period on motions of no confidence (2016)

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 | etymology: the word "papua" derives from the Malay "papuah" describing the frizzy hair of the Melanesians; Spanish explorer Ynigo ORTIZ de RETEZ applied the term "Nueva Guinea" to the island of New Guinea in 1545 after noting the resemblance of the locals to the peoples of the Guinea coast of Africa

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine EBERT-GRAY (since 23 February 2016); note - also accredited to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu | embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D. | mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby Place, 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 Rupa Abraham MALINA (since 10 March 2014) | 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 Michael OGIO (since 25 February 2011) | head of government: Prime Minister Peter Paire O'NEILL (since 2 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Leo DION (since 9 August 2012) | cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general nominated by the National Parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general pending the outcome of a National Parliament vote | election results: Peter Paire O'NEILL (PNC) elected prime minister; National Parliament vote - 94 to 12

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; red, black, and yellow are traditional colors of Papua New Guinea; the bird of paradise - endemic to the island of New Guinea - is an emblem of regional tribal culture and represents the emergence of Papua New Guinea as a nation; the Southern Cross, visible in the night sky, symbolizes Papua New Guinea's connection with Australia and several other countries in the South Pacific

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy (National Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

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

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and 28 judges); National Courts (13 courts located in the province capitals, with a total of 19 resident judges) | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon 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 to include 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 until age 70; appointment and tenure of National Court resident judges NA | subordinate courts: district, village, and juvenile courts

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral National Parliament (111 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies - 91 local and 20 provincial - by majority preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the constitution allows up to 126 seats | note: 14 other parties won 3 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid | elections: last held from 23 June 2012 to 27 July 2012 (next to be held in June 2017) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's National Congress Party 27, Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party 12, PNG Party 8, National Alliance Party 7, United Resources Party 7, People's Party 6, People's Progress Party 6, other 22, independent 16

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "O Arise All You Sons" | lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY | note: adopted 1975

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

National symbol(s) [time series]

bird of paradise; national colors: red, black

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

National Alliance Party or NA [Patrick PRUAITCHI] | Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Beldan NAMAH] | People's National Congress Party or PNC [Peter Paire O'NEILL] | People's Party or PP (merged with PNC) | People's Progress Party or PPP [Sir Julius CHAN] | Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party or THE | United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] | note: as of 13 March 2012, 41 political parties were registered

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

Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE] | Community Coalition Against Corruption | National Council of Women | Transparency International Papau New Guinea or TI PNG (chapter of Transparency International)

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. Since 2001, Bougainville has experienced autonomy. Under the terms of a peace accord, 2015 is the year that a five-year window opens for a referendum on the question of independence.

Military and Security

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

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.54% of GDP (2012) | 0.6% of GDP (2011) | 0.54% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 127

Military service age and obligation [time series]

16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; graduation from grade 12 required (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 33.93% (male 1,173,034/female 1,131,387) | 15-24 years: 19.86% (male 683,474/female 665,245) | 25-54 years: 36.65% (male 1,281,641/female 1,207,658) | 55-64 years: 5.39% (male 185,846/female 180,255) | 65 years and over: 4.16% (male 143,851/female 138,926) (2016 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

24 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

27.9% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 19

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

32.4% (2006/07)

Death rate [time series]

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 67.1% | youth dependency ratio: 62.1% | elderly dependency ratio: 5% | potential support ratio: 19.9% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.79% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

900 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

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

40,100 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.3% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 137

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 37.4 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 40.9 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 33.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Languages [time series]

Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 836 indigenous languages spoken (about 12% of the world's total); most languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers | 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%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.2 years | male: 65 years | female: 69.5 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 64.2% | male: 65.6% | female: 62.8% (2015 est.)

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 | note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

PORT MORESBY (capital) 345,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

215 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51

Median age [time series]

total: 22.9 years | male: 23 years | female: 22.8 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

25.5% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 115

People - note [time series]

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

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

6,791,317 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Population growth rate [time series]

1.75% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 27%, Protestant 69.4% (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%), Baha'i 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.1 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 13% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 2.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 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): 9,368 (Indonesia) (2015) | IDPs: 6,300 (natural disasters, tribal conflict, inter-communal violence, development projects) (2015)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Papua New Guinea is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; foreign and Papua New Guinean women and children are subjected to sex trafficking, domestic servitude, forced begging, and street vending; parents may sell girls into forced marriages to settle debts or as peace offerings or trade them to another tribe to forge a political alliance, leaving them vulnerable to forced domestic service, or, in urban areas, they may prostitute their children for income or to pay school fees; Chinese, Malaysian, and local men are forced to labor in logging and mining camps through debt bondage schemes; migrant women from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, and the Philippines are subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude at logging and mining camps, fisheries, and entertainment sites | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the Criminal Code Amendment of 2013, which prohibits all forms of trafficking was brought into force in 2014; the government also formed an anti-trafficking committee, which drafted a national action plan; despite corruption problems, trafficking-related crimes were prosecuted in village courts rather than criminal courts, resulting in restitution to the victim but no prison time for offenders; the government did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any officials or law enforcement personnel complicit in trafficking offenses; the government made no efforts to proactively identify trafficking victims, has no formal victim identification and referral mechanism, and does not provide care facilities to victims or funding to shelters run by NGOs or international organizations (2015)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

561 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 12

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 21 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 | 914 to 1,523 m: 5 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 540 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 | 914 to 1,523 m: 53 | under 914 m: 476 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

P2 (2016)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 31 | by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 22, petroleum tanker 2 | foreign-owned: 8 (Germany 1, Malaysia 1, UAE 6) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 83

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 6 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 47 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,062,584 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 34,827,034 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines [time series]

oil 264 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak | LNG terminal(s) (export): Port Moresby

Roadways [time series]

total: 9,349 km | paved: 3,000 km | unpaved: 6,349 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 138

Waterways [time series]

11,000 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 11