Papua New Guinea Population 2026
As of 2025, Papua New Guinea's population is estimated at 10,576,502, making it the 91st most populous country in the world. The country is located in the East Asia & Pacific region and is classified as a lower middle income economy. This figure reflects a 1.80% increase from the previous year.
Population Trend (Papua New Guinea)
Population by Decade
Population milestones
How Papua New Guinea's population changed across key years (World Bank estimates).
Overview
Papua New Guinea's population has grown at an average annual rate of 2.18% over the past decade, significantly higher than the global average. With a current growth rate of 1.80% in 2025, the country continues to experience rapid demographic expansion, driven by high fertility rates and improving life expectancy. This growth contributes to a young population structure, which poses both opportunities and challenges for economic development and public services.
Within the East Asia & Pacific region, Papua New Guinea stands out as one of the fastest-growing populations, though its total population of about 10.6 million is modest compared to regional giants like China and Indonesia. The country's lower middle income status means that infrastructure and healthcare systems are under pressure to keep pace with population increase. Urbanization is accelerating, particularly in Port Moresby and Lae, but a large majority still resides in rural areas with limited access to education and healthcare.
Demographic trends show that fertility rates, while declining, remain above replacement level. The median age is low, around 22 years, indicating a large working-age population in the future. However, the high dependency ratio strains resources. The government has implemented policies to improve family planning and education, but cultural factors and geographical challenges (over 600 islands) slow progress. The 10-year average growth of 2.18% suggests sustained expansion, with the population projected to reach 12-13 million by 2035.
Compared to its Pacific neighbors, Papua New Guinea has a much larger population and higher growth rate. Its global rank of 91st places it among mid-sized countries, but its growth trajectory is faster than many in the region. The combination of high growth and lower income presents a critical need for investments in health, education, and infrastructure to harness the demographic dividend.
Key Facts
- Papua New Guinea's population in 2025 is 10,576,502.
- The 1-year population growth rate is 1.80%.
- Over the past 10 years, the average annual growth rate was 2.18%.
- The country ranks 91st globally in population size.
- Papua New Guinea is in the East Asia & Pacific region and is a lower middle income economy.
- The population has grown by nearly 1.9 million people over the last decade.