PNG
Data file updated Jun 27, 2026
Papua New Guinea
Country profile covering economy, demographics, military, quality-of-life signals, and historical trends.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Port Moresby
- Currency
- Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
- Language
- English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
- Government
- Unitary parliamentary democracy
- Internet Users
- 11.2%
- Unemployment
- 2.7%
- Smoking (15+)
- 29.0%
Population
8.95M
GDP
$25.11B
GDP per Capita
$2,805
Area
462,840 km²
Life Expectancy
64.5 years
HDI
0.6
Economy
5 metrics| GDP (USD) | $25.11B |
|---|---|
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | $2,805 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 2.7% |
| GINI Index (Income Inequality) | 41.9 |
| Currency | Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK) |
Trade (Import/Export)
3 metrics| Exports | $2.8B |
|---|---|
| Imports | $2.3B |
| Trade Balance | $0.5B |
Gold Reserves
1 metrics| Gold Reserves | 2.0 tonnes |
|---|
Society & Demographics
4 metrics| Life Expectancy (years) | 64.5 |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate (%) | 64.2% |
| Internet Users (%) | 11.2% |
| Human Development Index | 0.6 |
Military Strength
9 metrics| Active Personnel | 2,500 |
|---|---|
| Reserve Personnel | 0 |
| Total Military Personnel | 2,500 |
| Defense Budget (USD) | $100M |
| Tanks | 0 |
| Armored Vehicles | 24 |
| Self-Propelled Artillery | 0 |
| Towed Artillery | 4 |
| Rocket Projectors | 0 |
Air Force
7 metrics| Total Aircraft | 11 |
|---|---|
| Fighters | 0 |
| Attack Aircraft | 0 |
| Transport Aircraft | 6 |
| Trainer Aircraft | 2 |
| Helicopters | 3 |
| Attack Helicopters | 0 |
Education
4 metrics| Education Expenditure (% of GDP) | 2.1% |
|---|---|
| Universities | 6 |
| Primary Enrollment (%) | 87.0% |
| Secondary Enrollment (%) | 40.0% |
Healthcare
5 metrics| Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) | 2.3% |
|---|---|
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.1 |
| Hospital Beds per 1,000 people | 0.4 |
| Life Expectancy (Male) | 63.1 |
| Life Expectancy (Female) | 66.0 |
Cost of Living
12 metrics| Cost of Living Index | 46.5 |
|---|---|
| Rent Index | 20.0 |
| Groceries Index | 43.0 |
| Restaurant Price Index | 40.0 |
| Local Purchasing Power | 22.0 |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant (USD) | $9 |
| Three-Course Meal for 2 (USD) | $35 |
| Monthly Rent - City Center (USD) | $500 |
| Monthly Rent - Outside Center (USD) | $300 |
| Monthly Utilities (USD) | $110 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, USD) | $60 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (USD) | $20 |
Historical Data
Compare Papua New Guinea
Religious Composition
- Christian 95.6%
- Indigenous Beliefs 3.3%
- Other 1.1%
Beverages per Person
- Coffee 3.6 kg/yr
- Beer 10.9 L/yr
- Wine 0.1 L/yr
- Alcohol 1.0 L pure/yr
Per-capita — consumption where available, else FAOSTAT supply · alcohol = litres of pure alcohol (WHO)
Age Demographics
22.8
Median Age