Economy, jobs and prices in Northern Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
15.2% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province 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 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
How many men are employed in Northern Province?
34.8% of men aged 15-49 in Northern Province were currently employed in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey, 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 45.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Northern Province have non-farm jobs?
Of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province who were currently employed, 34.3% did non-agricultural work (the rest mainly farming or other agricultural work, or unrecorded), 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 51.7% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many men in Northern Province have non-farm jobs?
Of men aged 15-49 in Northern Province who were currently employed, 36.7% did non-agricultural work, 7th lowest of the 21 provinces with data; national figure 46.6% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Northern Province have a bank account?
13.6% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province have and use an account in a bank or other financial institution, 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 18.4% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Northern Province own a mobile phone?
19.7% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province own a mobile phone, 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 34.1% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many men in Northern Province own a mobile phone?
36.0% of men aged 15-49 in Northern Province own a mobile phone, 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 50.3% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Northern Province have clean drinking water?
28.3% of people in Northern Province lived in a household with at least basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 44.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Northern Province have a proper toilet?
25.7% of people in Northern Province had at least basic sanitation (an improved toilet not shared with other households) in the 2016-18 survey, 9th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 24.0%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Northern Province compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 currently employed (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 20 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate; small provinces carry wider margins of error
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 currently employed |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Morobe | 22.7% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 21.8% |
| 18 | Western Highlands | 18.0% |
| 19 | Enga | 17.0% |
| 20 | Northern Province | 15.2% |
| 21 | Southern Highlands | 13.0% |
| 22 | Hela | 11.0% |
Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 15 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 15.9% |
| 13 | Jiwaka | 15.8% |
| 14 | Milne Bay | 15.2% |
| 15 | Northern Province | 13.6% |
| 16 | East Sepik | 12.2% |
| 17 | Enga | 12.0% |
| 18 | Gulf Province | 10.8% |
People with at least basic drinking water service (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 20 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | People with at least basic drinking water service |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Chimbu | 37.3% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 35.9% |
| 18 | East Sepik | 32.9% |
| 19 | Hela | 28.8% |
| 20 | Northern Province | 28.3% |
| 21 | Enga | 27.7% |
| 22 | Southern Highlands | 14.8% |
More on Northern Province: overview · health · education and schools · 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, Tables 3.9.1 and 3.9.2: agricultural and non-agricultural employment of women and men by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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