Poverty and living standards in Northern Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
59.9% of people in Northern Province lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, 10th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
How many people in Northern Province are severely food insecure?
29.3% of people in Northern Province lived in households with severe food insecurity (going without food for a day or more) in the 2016-18 survey, 7th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 25.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is violence against women in Northern Province?
45.2% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had experienced physical violence since the age of 15 (2016-18 survey), 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 55.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Northern Province suffered violence in the last year?
28.8% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had experienced physical violence often or sometimes in the 12 months before the 2016-18 survey, the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 37.9%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is sexual violence in Northern Province?
18.4% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had ever experienced sexual violence (2016-18 survey), the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 28.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is domestic violence in Northern Province?
52.9% of ever-married women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a current or most recent husband or partner (2016-18 survey), the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 62.9%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Northern Province are beaten by their partner?
45.9% of ever-married women aged 15-49 in Northern Province had experienced physical violence from a husband or partner (2016-18 survey), the lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 54.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Northern Province compares with other provinces
People in households with moderate or severe food insecurity (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 13 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | People in households with moderate or severe food insecurity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Chimbu | 61.9% |
| 11 | Eastern Highlands | 60.2% |
| 12 | West New Britain | 60.0% |
| 13 | Northern Province | 59.9% |
| 14 | Morobe | 58.9% |
| 15 | New Ireland | 57.0% |
| 16 | Enga | 56.5% |
Ever-married women who experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a partner (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 22 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Ever-married women who experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a partner |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Western Province | 58.1% |
| 17 | West New Britain | 58.1% |
| 18 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 57.1% |
| 19 | Madang | 56.2% |
| 20 | Gulf Province | 55.5% |
| 21 | Southern Highlands | 54.2% |
| 22 | Northern Province | 52.9% |
More on Northern Province: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · 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 2.17: household food insecurity by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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