Education in Central Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
74.8% of women aged 15-49 in Central Province could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 8th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
What is the literacy rate of men in Central Province?
82.8% of men aged 15-49 in Central Province could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, 11th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 79.9%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Central Province have been to secondary school?
1.6% of women aged 15-49 in Central Province had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 4.0%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many men in Central Province have been to secondary school?
2.6% of men aged 15-49 in Central Province had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 9th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 5.3%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Central Province attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in Central Province was 42.9% in the 2016-18 survey, 10th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 43.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Central Province go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in Central Province was 53.4% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 11th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 50.3%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Central Province go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in Central Province was 14.9% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 10th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Central Province compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
Central Province ranks 8 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey literacy test
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 able to read at least part of a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | East New Britain | 86.1% |
| 6 | Milne Bay | 79.0% |
| 7 | West New Britain | 77.5% |
| 8 | Central Province | 74.8% |
| 9 | East Sepik | 72.3% |
| 10 | Morobe | 72.1% |
| 11 | Madang | 70.0% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Central Province ranks 12 of 22, highest first. Share of primary-age children in primary school
| Rank | Region | Primary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Morobe | 55.2% |
| 10 | Western Province | 54.1% |
| 11 | Southern Highlands | 54.0% |
| 12 | Central Province | 53.4% |
| 13 | New Ireland | 51.9% |
| 14 | Eastern Highlands | 51.3% |
| 15 | Enga | 47.4% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Central Province ranks 13 of 22, highest first. Share of secondary-age children in secondary school
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Western Province | 17.1% |
| 11 | Manus | 16.6% |
| 12 | West New Britain | 16.5% |
| 13 | Central Province | 14.9% |
| 14 | New Ireland | 14.4% |
| 15 | Hela | 14.0% |
| 16 | East Sepik | 13.9% |
More on Central Province: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · 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 2.16: school attendance ratios by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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