Papua New Guinea: health and care

What is the fertility rate in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's total fertility rate was 3.07 children per woman in 2024, down from 3.17 in 2022, according to the World Bank.

The total fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have if she experienced that year's birth rates at each age throughout her life. The World Bank figure is an estimate based on UN population data and household surveys such as the Demographic and Health Survey. The World Bank puts the population at 10,762,817 in 2025.

Official sources: World Bank: Fertility rate · World Bank: Population, total

What is the infant mortality rate in Papua New Guinea?

31.3 babies per 1,000 live births died before their first birthday in Papua New Guinea in 2024, according to the World Bank. The under-5 mortality rate was 39.4 per 1,000.

Both rates have fallen each year in the series: infant mortality was 33.1 in 2022. They are modelled estimates by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, because many births and deaths in Papua New Guinea are not registered. The World Bank lists life expectancy at birth of 66.3 years in 2024.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality rate · World Bank: Under-5 mortality rate · World Bank: Life expectancy at birth

How much does Papua New Guinea spend on health?

Current health spending in Papua New Guinea was 2.9% of GDP in 2023, up from 2.3% in 2021, according to the World Bank, which uses WHO estimates.

The figure covers public and private spending on health care, but not investment in buildings and equipment. The World Bank also lists 0.06 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, about one for every 16,000 people. The World Health Organization publishes further health statistics for the country.

Official sources: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) · World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people

What is life expectancy in Papua New Guinea?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Papua New Guinea at 66.3 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 29th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 71.5 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 161st highest.

How many babies die in Papua New Guinea?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 31.3 per 1,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.9 per 1,000, and Papua New Guinea placed 4th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 44th highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Papua New Guinea?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Papua New Guinea was 189 per 100,000 in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 82.0 per 100,000; Papua New Guinea is 3rd highest of 30. Worldwide: 39th of 192.

How much does Papua New Guinea spend on health?

2.9% of GDP: that is current health spending in Papua New Guinea for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 3.3% of GDP; its low point was 2015, at 1.8% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 5.9% of GDP, and Papua New Guinea placed 26th highest of 29. Worldwide: 179th of 191.

How much of health care in Papua New Guinea do patients pay for?

8.6%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Papua New Guinea for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 12.4%; its low point was 2014, at 6.0%. It is 18th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 12.2%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 173rd highest.

How many doctors does Papua New Guinea have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Papua New Guinea was 0.06 per 1,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2008 was 2018, at 0.06 per 1,000; its low point was 2008, at 0.05 per 1,000. East Asia & Pacific median: 0.52 per 1,000; Papua New Guinea is 5th highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 57th of 58.

How many hospital beds per person does Papua New Guinea have?

0.62 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Papua New Guinea for 2023, according to the WHO. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.4 per 1,000, and Papua New Guinea placed 10th highest of 11. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 67th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Papua New Guinea?

44.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Papua New Guinea for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 82.0% in 2005 and the low 35.0% in 2021. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; Papua New Guinea is 30th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 187th of 191.