Education in Northern Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
69.5% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 11th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
What is the literacy rate of men in Northern Province?
84.4% of men aged 15-49 in Northern Province could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, 10th 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 Northern Province have been to secondary school?
1.4% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 6th 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 Northern Province have been to secondary school?
2.2% of men aged 15-49 in Northern Province had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 6th 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 Northern Province attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in Northern Province was 34.8% in the 2016-18 survey, 5th 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 Northern Province go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in Northern Province was 32.1% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 2nd 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 Northern Province go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in Northern Province was 6.4% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
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 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | East Sepik | 72.3% |
| 10 | Morobe | 72.1% |
| 11 | Madang | 70.0% |
| 12 | Northern Province | 69.5% |
| 13 | Western Province | 67.4% |
| 14 | Chimbu | 66.3% |
| 15 | Western Highlands | 62.9% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 21 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)
Northern Province ranks 21 of 22, highest first. Share of secondary-age children in secondary school
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | East Sepik | 13.9% |
| 17 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 12.4% |
| 18 | Milne Bay | 10.8% |
| 19 | Madang | 8.9% |
| 20 | West Sepik | 6.9% |
| 21 | Northern Province | 6.4% |
| 22 | Gulf Province | 4.7% |
More on Northern 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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