Hela: population, jobs, health, schooling, living standards and provincial budgets
Hela is a province of Papua New Guinea, number 16 of 22 by population. The 2024 census counted 365,806 people in Hela (194,762 males and 171,044 females), 3.6% of Papua New Guinea's 10,185,363; 7th smallest of 22 provinces by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Hela: 11.0% of women aged 15-49 in Hela 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 the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
- Health in Hela: 73.7% of women in Hela 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, 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
- Education in Hela: 38.3% of women aged 15-49 in Hela could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
- Poverty and living standards in Hela: 66.0% of people in Hela lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, 4th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
- Government budget and revenue in Hela: The Hela Provincial Health Authority received K46.3 million in 2025 from the national budget, against an original budget of K42.7 million (Treasury Final Budget Outcome 2025). That is K127 per resident using the 2024 census, 8th lowest of the 21 provinces with data; across all 21 Provincial Health Authorities it was K126.
How fast is the population of Hela growing?
The population of Hela grew from 249,449 at the 2011 census to 365,806 in 2024, an average of 3.0% a year (Papua New Guinea: 2.6% a year); joint 5th fastest of 22 provinces for growth.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyWhat is the sex ratio in Hela?
The 2024 census recorded 114 males for every 100 females in Hela (Papua New Guinea: 110); joint highest of 22 provinces for men per 100 women.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow crowded is Hela?
Hela had 34 people per square kilometre at the 2024 census (Papua New Guinea: 22), 9th highest of 22 provinces for population density.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many districts are there in Hela?
Hela has 4 census districts. The largest is Koroba Kopiago with 130,425 people, 36% of the total.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many births are registered in Hela?
14.0% of children under five in Hela had their births registered with the civil authorities in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey (Papua New Guinea: 13.4%); 9th highest of 22 provinces.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow provinces 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 provinces 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
- Autonomous Region of Bougainville 367,093
- 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 Health Authorities (votes 601 to 622), 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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