Autonomous Region of Bougainville: population, jobs, health, schooling, living standards and provincial budgets

Autonomous Region of Bougainville is a autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, number 15 of 22 by population. The 2024 census counted 367,093 people in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (189,477 males and 177,616 females), 3.6% of Papua New Guinea's 10,185,363; 8th smallest of 22 provinces by population.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Autonomous Region of Bougainville: 25.2% of women aged 15-49 in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville were currently employed (worked in the past 7 days, or were in regular work but away) in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey, the 9th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
• Health in Autonomous Region of Bougainville: 87.6% of women in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville who gave birth in the five years before the 2016-18 survey saw a doctor, midwife or nurse for antenatal care during their most recent pregnancy, 5th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
• Education in Autonomous Region of Bougainville: 88.0% of women aged 15-49 in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
• Poverty and living standards in Autonomous Region of Bougainville: 45.2% of people in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
• Government budget and revenue in Autonomous Region of Bougainville: Treasury's Final Budget Outcome 2025 records K452.8 million paid under the vote for the Autonomous Bougainville Government administration in 2025, against an original budget of K486.5 million and a revised budget of K495.2 million. The figures are in kina; the highest of 22 provinces by amount.

How autonomous regions are governed in Papua New Guinea

Provincial level (22: 20 provinces, the National Capital District and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville). Provincial assembly made up of the province's national MPs, LLG heads and appointed members (including a woman and chiefs' representatives where relevant); the provincial MP is governor. Provincial services and planning. Bougainville has its own constitution, president and House of Representatives.

Every tier of government in Papua New Guinea

Other autonomous regions of Papua New Guinea

• Morobe 997,545
• Eastern Highlands 800,072
• Madang 761,154
• National Capital District 756,754
• East Sepik 631,791
• Southern Highlands 602,085
• Enga 489,971
• Western Highlands 462,566
• Chimbu 458,406
• Jiwaka 455,208
• East New Britain 434,757
• Milne Bay 412,158
• Central Province 373,779
• West New Britain 368,643
• Hela 365,806
• West Sepik 362,721
• Western Province 300,019
• Northern Province 273,950
• New Ireland 237,780
• Gulf Province 203,545
• Manus 69,560

Up a level: Papua New Guinea · government and power in Papua New Guinea

Sources

• National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program): Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey 2016-18, Table 9.18: problems in accessing health care by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
• Department of Treasury: Final Budget Outcome 2025: provincial administrations (votes 571 to 592) - original budget, revised budget and outcome, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 25c62ea692a5…)
• National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea: 2024 National Population Census Final Figures, Table 1: population by sex, sex ratio and province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6b6dd58c761a…)

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