Countries

Papua New Guinea

Map

Papua New Guinea
This map is an approximation of actual country borders.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most diverse countries in the world - geographically, biologically, linguistically, and culturally. Its abundant natural resources have not led yet to economic prosperity for the majority of its people. PNG‟s relative level of poverty in relation to neighbouring countries is increasing and it now ranks 145th out of 177 countries on the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index.

PNG‟s population is estimated to be 6.5 million and is predicted to reach 9 million by 2020. Currently, 87% of PNG‟s people live in rural areas in widely scattered communities that are often not accessible by road. Health indicators are poor, with average life expectancy at 53 years, infant mortality rate at 49 per 1000 live births, and maternal mortality rate at an astounding 733 per 100,000 live births; a figure regarded by some as an underestimate.

After over 30 years of political independence and some early economic and social progress, most of the people remain poor by both regional and international standards. The poor health status is associated with poverty, but it is also widely recognized that a failure of health service delivery is a major contributor to ill-health.

Papua New Guinea joined WHO on 29 April 1976 following its independence from Australia on 16 September 1975.

The WHO Representative Office in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea was established in August 1976. The first WHO Country Liaison Officer who was appointed in August 1974 was assigned as the first WHO Representative.

WR Adu-Krow

The WHO Representative in Papua New Guinea, : Adu-Krow, Dr William

WHO Country Office

Office address:

4th Floor, AOPI CENTRE Waigani Drive Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Postal address:

World Health Organization P.O. Box 5896 Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea

Telephone number:

(675) 325-7827
(675) 301-3698
(675) 325-2035 (direct)

Fax number:

(675) 325-0568

Office hours:

07.45 - 12.00 12.30 - 16.15 (Monday to Friday)

Email:

who.png@wpro.who.int

Website:

http://www.wpro.who.int

National Department of Health

Address:

AOPI Centre (South) Waigani Drive, P.O. Box 807, Waigani, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

Fax number:

(675) 301-3604

Sources

Additional information

World Health Statistics 2011. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2011.

 

Statistics

Estimated Population ('000s) ( 2010 ) 6744.96
Percentage of Population 5-14 years old ( 2010 ) 24.3
Life expectancy at birth (years) ( 2009 ) 63
Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 livebirths) ( 2006 ) 74.7
Total health expenditure as % of GDP ( 2009 ) 3.1
General gov't expenditure on health as % of total general gov't expenditure ( 2009 ) 8
Human development index ( 2010 ) 0.43
Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2009 ) 1172.32
Population below national poverty line ( 2006 ) 37.5
Adult literacy rate (%) ( 2007 ) 57.8
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 livebirths) ( 2006 ) 733
Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source ( 2008 ) 40
Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation ( 2008 ) 45