Education in Hela, Papua New Guinea: official figures
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%.
What is the literacy rate of men in Hela?
64.7% of men aged 15-49 in Hela could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd lowest 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 Hela have been to secondary school?
1.9% of women aged 15-49 in Hela had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 9th 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 Hela have been to secondary school?
4.2% of men aged 15-49 in Hela had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 10th highest 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 Hela attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in Hela was 19.6% in the 2016-18 survey, the 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 Hela go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in Hela was 34.4% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 4th 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 Hela go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in Hela was 14.0% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Hela compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
Hela ranks 22 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Eastern Highlands | 60.5% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 59.6% |
| 18 | West Sepik | 53.3% |
| 19 | Gulf Province | 52.0% |
| 20 | Enga | 48.1% |
| 21 | Southern Highlands | 42.9% |
| 22 | Hela | 38.3% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Hela ranks 19 of 22, highest first. Share of primary-age children in primary school
| Rank | Region | Primary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | West New Britain | 41.8% |
| 17 | East Sepik | 40.9% |
| 18 | Madang | 39.1% |
| 19 | Hela | 34.4% |
| 20 | West Sepik | 33.3% |
| 21 | Northern Province | 32.1% |
| 22 | Gulf Province | 29.8% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Hela ranks 15 of 22, highest first. Share of secondary-age children in secondary school
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 17 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 12.4% |
| 18 | Milne Bay | 10.8% |
More on Hela: 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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