Quick facts
Papua New Guinea population overview
Papua New Guinea is the 2nd most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 10,856,504 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 499 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 255,128 births (23.5 per 1,000 people) and 71,653 deaths (6.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 532 people. The infant mortality rate is 30.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,995,110 in 1960 to 10,762,817 in 2025 — a change of +439.5%, or +2.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 23 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.5 years; women have on average 3.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 33.1% of residents are under 15 and 3.6% are 65 or older (2025); 15.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea covers 462,840 km², giving a population density of about 23.8 people per km². GDP was $32.50B in 2025 — about $3,020 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Papua New Guinea population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 11,001,954 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 10,856,504 |
| World rank | #90 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #2 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.7% |
| Births per year est. | 255,128 |
| Deaths per year est. | 71,653 |
| Net migration per year est. | -532 |
| Birth rate | 23.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 30.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 105.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 23 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 15.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 462,840 km² |
| Population density | 23.8 per km² |
| Capital | Port Moresby |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $32.50B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,020 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Papua New Guinea population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 11,001,954 | – | – |
| 2025 | 10,762,817 | +186,315 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | 10,576,502 | +186,867 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 10,389,635 | +186,466 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 10,203,169 | +190,273 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 10,012,896 | +197,150 | +2% |
| 2020 | 9,815,746 | +1,072,500 | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 8,743,246 | +1,109,723 | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 7,633,523 | +1,097,618 | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 6,535,905 | +998,841 | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 5,537,064 | +892,786 | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 4,644,278 | +747,797 | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 3,896,481 | +417,545 | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 3,478,936 | +347,424 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 3,131,512 | +316,692 | +2.2% |
| 1975 | 2,814,820 | +309,192 | +2.4% |
| 1970 | 2,505,628 | +269,808 | +2.3% |
| 1965 | 2,235,820 | +240,710 | +2.3% |
| 1960 | 1,995,110 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Papua New Guinea
Population over time
- From 1,995,110 in 1960 to 11,001,954 today — up 451.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.3 years (2024), up 20.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 24.3 births vs 6.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 17.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 33.1% of the population is under 15 and 3.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 1.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 5.47 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 6.62 Mt in 2016 — down 17.4% since.
- Per person: 0.52 t in 2024, vs 0.45 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 54.6% of final energy in 2022 (-17.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 79% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 80.4% to 79% since 1990 — roughly 6,587 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 15.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 3.5% in 1960 (+12.3 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 78,505 m³ in 2022, down 79.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $32.50B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 49.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,020 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 18.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 38.8 per 100 people (2024).
Papua New Guinea in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Papua New Guinea in 2026?
As of October 2026, Papua New Guinea has an estimated population of 11,001,954. The United Nations estimated 10,856,504 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Papua New Guinea growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.7% per year — roughly 499 more people every day. Each year there are about 255,128 births and 71,653 deaths, with net migration of -532.
What is the population density of Papua New Guinea?
About 23.8 people per square kilometre: 11,001,954 people living on 462,840 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Papua New Guinea?
The median age is 23 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.5 years. 33.1% of the population is under 15 and 3.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Papua New Guinea rank by population?
Papua New Guinea is the 90th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 2nd in Oceania, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Papua New Guinea changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,995,110; by 2025 it had grown to 10,762,817 (+439.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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HondurasSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.