Papua New Guinea: jobs and pay

Is employment growing in Papua New Guinea?

Formal private-sector employment in Papua New Guinea was 2.9% higher in the first quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to Bank of PNG data cited in the Department of Treasury's 2026 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Transport, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and the resource sector led the growth.

The Bank of PNG's employment index covers formal private employers only. Most people in Papua New Guinea work in subsistence farming or the informal economy and are not counted. The Treasury also reports that 57% of firms in the 2026 PNG 100 CEO Survey expect to hire more staff this year.

Official sources: PNG Treasury: 2026 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook

What is the unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea?

Unemployment in Papua New Guinea was 2.6% of the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank's modelled ILO estimate. It was 2.6% in 2024.

This is a model-based estimate rather than a survey result. Under the ILO definition, people who do any work, including subsistence farming, count as employed, so unemployment is low in economies where most people farm their own land. It does not measure underemployment or the shortage of paid formal jobs. The National Statistical Office has no recent labour force survey readable online.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, modelled ILO estimate

What is the minimum wage in Papua New Guinea?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Papua New Guinea at 728 PGK a month (about $189) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 3.0%; its low point was 2010, at 2.0%. It is 15th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. World rank, highest first: 151st of 174.

How many young people in Papua New Guinea are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Papua New Guinea was 3.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 4.6%; its low point was 2010, at 3.6%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 7.5%, and Papua New Guinea placed 20th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 159th of 174.

What share of people in Papua New Guinea are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Papua New Guinea was 52.1% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. Worldwide: 143rd of 174.

What share of women in Papua New Guinea are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Papua New Guinea at 50.8% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 19th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. World rank, highest first: 109th of 174.

How many people in Papua New Guinea are employed?

50.7%: that is the employment to population ratio in Papua New Guinea for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 22nd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 132nd highest.

What is vulnerable employment in Papua New Guinea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 71.2%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 40.0%, and Papua New Guinea placed 2nd highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 25th highest.

What share of workers in Papua New Guinea earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 24th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.8%. Worldwide: 158th of 174.