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
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 801 cu km (2011) Natural hazards: active volcanism; situated along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Environment - current issues: rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements: 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
Geography - note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
Languages: 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
Religions: 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)
Population: 6,552,730 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 106
Age structure: 0-14 years:35% (male 1,165,911/female 1,125,104)
65 years and over:3.8% (male 134,396/female 123,848) (2014 est.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:68.2 %
youth dependency ratio:63.2 %
elderly dependency ratio:5 %
potential support ratio:20.1 (2014 est.)
Median age: total:22.4 years
male:22.6 years
female:22.2 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.84% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 65
Birth rate: 24.89 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 57
Death rate: 6.53 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 149
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 90
Urbanization: urban population:12.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.73% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population: PORT MORESBY (capital) 343,000 (2011)
Sex ratio: at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.14 male(s)/female
total population:1.05 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Maternal mortality rate: 230 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate: total:39.67 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 54
male:43.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female:35.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:66.85 yearscountry comparison to the world: 168
male:64.63 years
female:69.19 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.24 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 50
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 32.4% (2007)
Health expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density: 0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Drinking water source: improved:
urban: 88% of population
rural: 32.8% of population
total: 39.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 12% of population
rural: 67.2% of population
total: 60.3% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access: improved:
urban: 56.4% of population
rural: 13.3% of population
total: 18.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 43.6% of population
rural: 86.7% of population
total: 81.3% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 24,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 76
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,000 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 78
Major infectious diseases:
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 16.2% (2008)country comparison to the world: 115
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 18.1% (2005)country comparison to the world: 37
Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:62.4%
male:65.4%
female:59.4% (2011 est.)
People - note: the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea 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
Government
Country name: 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
Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
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)
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
Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution: adopted 15 August 1975, effective at independence 16 September 1975; amended many times, last in 2003 (2013)
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: 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:the monarchy is hereditary; the governor general nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament
election results:Peter Paire O'NEILL elected prime minister; parliamentary vote - 94 to 12; election last held on 3 August 2012 (next to be held NA 2017)
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (111 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 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 Progess Party 6, other parties 22, independents 16
note:14 other parties won 3 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid
Judicial branch: highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and 28 other judges); National Courts (10 courts located in the province capitals, with a total of 16 resident judges )
judge selection and term of office: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; citizen judges appointed for 10-year renewable terms; non-citizen judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; appointment and tenure of National Court resident judges NA
subordinate courts:district, village, and juvenile courts
Political parties and leaders: National Alliance Party or NA [Patrick PRUAITCHI]
Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Beldan NEMAH]
People's National Congress Party or PNC [Peter Paire O'NEILL]
People's Party or PP
People's Progress Party or PPP
Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party or THE [Don POYLE]
United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA]
note:as of 13 March 2012, 41 political parties were registered
Political pressure groups and leaders: Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Rupa Abraham MULINA
chancery:1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 745-3680
FAX:[1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Walter E. NORTH (since 7 November 2012); 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
Flag description: 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
National symbol(s): bird of paradise
National anthem: name:'O Arise All You Sons'
lyrics/music:Thomas SHACKLADY
note:adopted 1975
Economy
Economy - overview:
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. 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 could begin exporting in 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 (SWF) 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. The global financial crisis had little impact because of continued foreign demand for PNG's commodities.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.96 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
$18.93 billion (2012 est.)
$17.51 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.1 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
8.1% (2012 est.)
10.7% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$2,800 (2012 est.)
$2,600 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving:
-1.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
-3.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
13.9% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:55.7%
government consumption:8.9%
investment in fixed capital:13.3%
investment in inventories:18.4%
exports of goods and services:53.6%
imports of goods and services:-49.9%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:27.6%
Australia 30.1%, Japan 9.9%, China 5%, Germany 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
$4.587 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$4.767 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Australia 36.3%, Singapore 13.8%, Malaysia 8.4%, China 7.9%, Japan 5.8%, US 4.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.926 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$4.001 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Debt - external:
$13.61 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$12.96 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
kina (PGK) per US dollar -
2.278 (2013 est.)
2.0837 (2012 est.)
2.7193 (2010 est.)
2.7551 (2009)
2.6956 (2008)
Energy
Electricity - production:
3.35 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world:129
Electricity - consumption:
3.116 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
700,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
61.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
30.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - production:
27,490 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Crude oil - exports:
28,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Crude oil - imports:
14,880 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Crude oil - proved reserves:
154.3 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Refined petroleum products - production:
17,330 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
36,320 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Refined petroleum products - exports:
3,536 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Refined petroleum products - imports:
5,937 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - production:
100 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - consumption:
110 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - proved reserves:
155.3 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
3.279 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:
139,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world:140
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.709 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 134
Telephone system:
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 40 per 100 persons
international:country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2009)
Broadcast media:
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:
.pg
Internet hosts:
5,006 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 145
Internet users:
125,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 152
Transportation
Airports
561 (2013)
country comparison to the world:12
Airports - with paved runways 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 total:540
1,524 to 2,437 m:11
914 to 1,523 m:53
under 914 m:
476 (2013)
Heliports 2 (2013)
Pipelines oil 264 km (2013)
Roadways total:9,349 kmcountry comparison to the world: 137
paved:3,000 km
unpaved:6,349 km (2011)
Waterways
11,000 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 12
Merchant marine total:31country comparison to the world: 84
by type:bulk carrier 7, cargo 22, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned:8 (Germany 1, Malaysia 1, UAE 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals major seaport(s):Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak
Military
Military branches Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2013)
Military service age and obligation 16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; graduation from grade 12 required (2013)
Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:1,568,210
females age 16-49:1,478,965 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:1,130,951
females age 16-49:1,137,753 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:67,781
female:65,820 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures
0.54% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 126
0.6% of GDP (2011)
0.54% of GDP (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons refugees (country of origin):9,368 (Indonesia) (2013)
