Papua New Guinea: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Papua New Guinea 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Papua New Guinea: na
  • Happiness Score Papua New Guinea:na

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Papua New Guinea. PG.

    Papua New Guinea

  • It is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, known for its incredibly diverse culture and languages, with over 800 indigenous languages spoken.
  • Papua New Guinea is a parliamentary representative democratic country, with a prime minister as the head of government and a multi-party system.
  • The country has a rich natural resource base, including significant reserves of gold, copper, and natural gas.
  • Papua New Guinea – A Comprehensive Overview

    Brief History

    Early History: The earliest inhabitants of the island of New Guinea were ancestors of the present-day Papua New Guineans. Around 1500 BC, Austronesian-speaking peoples arrived and intermingled with the indigenous population, leading to the diverse cultural landscape seen today.

    Kingdoms and Empires: New Guinea was divided into small chiefdoms and kingdoms, with no significant centralized empire controlling the entire island.

    Colonial Period: In the late 19th century, the eastern half of New Guinea was colonized by Germany and Britain, becoming a territory of Australia in 1906. The western half was colonized by the Netherlands and remained part of the Dutch East Indies until Indonesian independence in 1949.

    Independence and Modern Era: Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975. The country faced challenges such as ethnic tensions and civil unrest in the early years of independence. In the late 1980s, a civil war erupted on the island of Bougainville over the struggle for greater autonomy and control of natural resources.

    Current Political Situation: Papua New Guinea is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. James Marape has been the Prime Minister since 2019. The country is divided into 22 provinces and has a multi-party system.

    International Relations: Papua New Guinea maintains close ties with Australia and has diplomatic relations with several countries in the Pacific region. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth of Nations.

    Human Development and Economy: Papua New Guinea’s economy is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources, particularly minerals, oil, and gas. The country faces challenges such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and low human development indicators.

    Cultural Highlights: Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with over 800 indigenous languages spoken. Traditional customs, arts, and festivals are an integral part of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

    Papua New Guinea faces challenges such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and environmental degradation due to mining and logging activities. Opportunities lie in sustainable development, tourism, and harnessing the country’s rich natural resources responsibly.

    Travel Tips for Papua New Guinea

    – Best times to visit are from May to October when the weather is drier and cooler.
    – Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting villages.
    – Exercise caution when traveling to remote areas and avoid political demonstrations.
    – Must-see landmarks include the Kokoda Trail, Mount Wilhelm, and Sepik River.
    – Try traditional Papua New Guinean dishes like mumu (earth oven-cooked food) and kokopo (coconut soup).

    Living in Papua New Guinea

    – The cost of living can be high, especially in urban areas like Port Moresby.
    – Housing options include apartments, houses, and expat compounds.
    – Healthcare facilities are limited outside major cities, so private health insurance is recommended.
    – International schools are available for expat children.
    – Be aware of cultural norms, such as respect for elders and community ties.

    Doing Business in Papua New Guinea

    – Key industries include mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and fishing.
    – Developing personal relationships and building trust are essential for successful negotiations.
    – Understand local customs and show respect for hierarchies.
    – Corruption and bureaucracy can pose challenges for businesses.
    – Opportunities exist in sectors like tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure development.

    Studying in Papua New Guinea

    – The University of Papua New Guinea and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology are the leading institutions.
    – Student life can be vibrant, with opportunities to engage in cultural activities and outdoor adventures.
    – International students may need to obtain a student visa and provide proof of financial support.
    – Opportunities exist for studying subjects like environmental science, anthropology, and linguistics.

Main facts

Papua New Guinea Geographic Profile

1. Location

Papua New Guinea is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, located east of Indonesia and north of Australia. It shares the island of New Guinea with Indonesia and occupies the eastern half of the island along with several other smaller islands in the region.

2. Map References

Papua New Guinea is located in the Oceania region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

3. Area – Comparative

With a total area of 462,840 sq km, Papua New Guinea is slightly larger than the U.S. state of California.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Papua New Guinea shares a land border with Indonesia on the island of New Guinea, totaling 824 km.

5. Coastline

Papua New Guinea has a coastline of 5,152 km, featuring several large bays and inlets along its northern and southern coasts.

6. Maritime Claims

Papua New Guinea claims the following maritime zones:
– Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
– Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
– Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin

7. Climate

Papua New Guinea has a tropical climate, with hot and humid conditions throughout the year. The coastal regions are generally more temperate, while the interior highlands experience cooler temperatures due to higher elevations.

8. Terrain

Papua New Guinea is predominantly mountainous, with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills. The interior is dominated by the Owen Stanley Range, which includes the country’s highest peaks. There are also several major river valleys, such as the Fly River and Sepik River basins.

9. Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Papua New Guinea is Mount Wilhelm at 4,509 meters, located in the Bismarck Range. The lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at sea level.

10. Natural Resources

Papua New Guinea’s major natural resources include gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, and fish.

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Papua New Guinea include the Bismarck Sea, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea along its coastlines. Significant rivers include the Fly River, Sepik River, and Ramu River.

12. Natural Hazards

Papua New Guinea is prone to various natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, and landslides.

13. Geography – Notes

Papua New Guinea’s geography is characterized by its rugged terrain, dense rainforests, and diverse ecosystems, making it one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. The country’s unique geographic features have also contributed to the cultural diversity of its indigenous populations.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 74.10%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 7,536. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 2.60%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  -6.314993143.95555.
  • Capital: The capital of Papua New Guinea is  Port Moresby
  • Major Cities:
    • Port Moresby – Population: 382,516
    • Lae – Population: 78,050
    • Arawa – Population: 40,000
    • Mount Hagen – Population: 46,250
    • Madang – Population: 27,420
  • Population: 8,776,109
  • Area(Km2): 462840
  • Population Density( P/Km²):20. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:675
  • Official Language(s):Papua New Guinea is home to over 850 indigenous languages, but the most widely spoken languages are Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin, and English. Hiri Motu is spoken by 2.1% of the population, Tok Pisin by 53.1%, and English by 1.2%.
  • Currency: PGK

Main Economic Indicators

Papua New Guinea has a dual economy with a large subsistence sector and a small modern sector focused on mining, agriculture, and energy. The country’s economy is driven primarily by the extraction and export of natural resources, particularly minerals, timber, and energy. The key economic challenges include diversifying the economy, addressing infrastructure deficiencies, and improving governance and the business environment.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2022: 6.9% (Source: International Monetary Fund)
2021: 4.5% (Source: International Monetary Fund)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: B-
Moody’s: B2
Standard & Poor’s: B-

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 24.9%
Industry: 36.6%
Services: 38.5% (2020 est.)

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm oil, timber, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruits, vegetables
Industrial Products: Gold, copper, crude oil, natural gas, construction materials, wood products, refined petroleum products

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 3.8 million (2020 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 93rd in the world

Current Account Balance

2022: $5.32 billion (surplus)
2021: $5.79 billion (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: 25th in the world (2022 est.)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $17.06 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: Australia, China, Japan, Germany, South Korea
Main Exports: Gold, crude petroleum, copper, logs, palm oil
Imports: $4.44 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan
Main Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $2.94 billion (2021 est.)
Gold Reserves: 7.89 million troy ounces (2021 est.)

  • GDP (Current US$):$24,969,611,435. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 13.60%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 37.10%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $1.36. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $1.16. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 2.46%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Noun: Papua New Guinean(s)

Adjective: Papua New Guinean

2. Ethnic Groups

– Melanesian 94.1%
– Papuan 3.6%
– Negrito 1.1%
– Micronesian 1%
– Other 0.2%

3. Religions

– Protestant 65.4% (Evangelical Lutheran 16.6%, United Church 10.8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9.9%, Pentecostal 8.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.3%, Anglican 2.7%, Baptist 2.6%, other Protestant 9.2%)
– Roman Catholic 26.6%
– Other Christian 2.2%
– Muslim 0.3%
– Other/None 5.5%

4. Age Structure

– 0-14 years: 33.89%
– 15-64 years: 62.82%
– 65 years and over: 3.29%

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 59.4
Youth dependency ratio: 53.9
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5

6. Median Age

Total: 24.2 years
Male: 23.9 years
Female: 24.5 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 22.8% (2016)
Alcohol consumption: 1.1 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2019)
Tobacco use: 28.3% of adults (2020)

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 64.3. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 64.2%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:27.07. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:7. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 3.56. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 9.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 1,162,834. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):5.80%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

Papua New Guinea’s military and security forces consist of the following main branches:

  • Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF)
    • Land Element (Army)
    • Air Operations Element (Air Force)
    • Maritime Element (Navy)
  • Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) – National police force responsible for maintaining internal security.

There are no known special units or foreign legions within the PNGDF.

Military Expenditures

Papua New Guinea’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2021: 0.45%
  • 2020: 0.48%
  • 2019: 0.47%
  • 2018: 0.44%
  • 2017: 0.46%

Papua New Guinea ranks among the lowest in terms of global military spending.

Personnel Strengths

The total active-duty military personnel in Papua New Guinea is approximately 3,000, broken down as follows:

  • Land Element (Army): 1,800
  • Air Operations Element (Air Force): 600
  • Maritime Element (Navy): 600

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (national police) has around 5,600 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Papua New Guinea’s military equipment inventory is relatively modest and includes a mix of domestically produced and imported hardware, such as:

  • Light armored vehicles and trucks
  • Small arms and light weapons
  • Transport aircraft and helicopters
  • Patrol boats and landing craft

There are no known significant future military acquisitions or development programs at this time.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service in Papua New Guinea is voluntary. The age range for enlistment is typically 16.5 to 25 years old.

Military Deployments

Papua New Guinea currently has no overseas military deployments. However, the country has contributed personnel to international peacekeeping missions in the past, primarily under the auspices of the United Nations.

Strategic Military Notes

Papua New Guinea’s defense strategy is focused on maintaining internal security and territorial integrity, with a particular emphasis on addressing threats such as transnational crime, resource conflicts, and natural disasters.

The military plays a supportive role in regional security initiatives, primarily through participation in multilateral organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum. Papua New Guinea does not have any formal military alliances or partnerships with other nations.

  • Armed Forces Size: 3600. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.07
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 47.20%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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