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Overview

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the most linguistically diverse country with over 850 indigenous languages. It has a remarkable diversity of geographic and natural resources. The country occupies the eastern half of the West Pacific Island of New Guinea, together with the main islands of New Britain, New Ireland, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, as well as another 600 smaller islands and atolls.

PNG’s population of an estimated eight million people is young and growing with 85% of Papua New Guinean’s living in rural areas. The country’s rich culture is complex and deeply rooted in tribal and ethnic identity and relationships to the land. These contribute both to the country’s unique challenges as well as its considerable resilience. 

PNG’s growth trajectory and abundant resource potential provides a strong platform for greater economic engagement with Asia and beyond.  

The country’s economy remains dominated by two broad sectors: 

  • the agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector that engages most of PNG’s labor force (the majority informally); and 
  • the minerals and energy extraction sector that accounts for most export earnings and GDP. 

The economy in PNG is projected to expand by 4% in 2022, up from 1% in the previous year, according to the World Bank’s September 2022 forecast. Despite a challenging external environment, the economic outlook in PNG remains positive, mostly driven by a strong performance in the non-extractive sector, with agriculture being among the key contributors to economic recovery.

To diversify PNG’s sources of revenue and increase employment, investment is needed to strengthen capacity in institutions, human capital, and physical infrastructure like electricity, telecommunications, road and other transport infrastructure that remain critical to supporting private sector-led growth. 

The World Bank continues to support the Government of PNG to strengthen macroeconomic management and improve service delivery to ensure development benefits reach all Papua New Guineans, particularly the 85% living in rural areas.

Last Updated: Nov 28, 2022

LENDING

Papua New Guinea: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

*Amounts include IBRD and IDA commitments

In Depth

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Country Office Contacts

Port Moresby
World Bank Group Office
Suite 1, Level 3, PWC Haus, Allotment 34, Section 44 Granville
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
+679 322-8900
Washington
1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433
+1 202-473-4709