Madang: population, jobs, health, schooling, living standards and provincial budgets
Madang is a province of Papua New Guinea, number 3 of 22 by population. The 2024 census counted 761,154 people in Madang (401,885 males and 359,269 females), 7.5% of Papua New Guinea's 10,185,363; 3rd largest of 22 provinces by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Madang: 25.0% of women aged 15-49 in Madang 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 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
- Health in Madang: 65.8% of women in Madang 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, 6th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
- Education in Madang: 70.0% of women aged 15-49 in Madang could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 11th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
- Poverty and living standards in Madang: 34.7% of people in Madang lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
- Government budget and revenue in Madang: The Madang Provincial Health Authority received K63.7 million in 2025 from the national budget, against an original budget of K69.5 million (Treasury Final Budget Outcome 2025). That is K84 per resident using the 2024 census, 3rd lowest of the 21 provinces with data; across all 21 Provincial Health Authorities it was K126.
How fast is the population of Madang growing?
The population of Madang grew from 493,906 at the 2011 census to 761,154 in 2024, an average of 3.4% a year (Papua New Guinea: 2.6% a year); 2nd fastest of 22 provinces for growth.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyWhat is the sex ratio in Madang?
The 2024 census recorded 112 males for every 100 females in Madang (Papua New Guinea: 110); joint 5th highest of 22 provinces for men per 100 women.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow crowded is Madang?
Madang had 26 people per square kilometre at the 2024 census (Papua New Guinea: 22), 9th lowest of 22 provinces for population density.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many districts are there in Madang?
Madang has 6 census districts. The largest is Madang with 175,289 people, 23% of the total.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many births are registered in Madang?
3.1% of children under five in Madang had their births registered with the civil authorities in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey (Papua New Guinea: 13.4%); the lowest 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
- 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
- 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 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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