Southern Highlands: population, jobs, health, schooling, living standards and provincial budgets

Southern Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea, number 6 of 22 by population. The 2024 census counted 602,085 people in Southern Highlands (311,380 males and 290,705 females), 5.9% of Papua New Guinea's 10,185,363; 6th largest of 22 provinces by population.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Southern Highlands: 13.0% of women aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands 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 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
• Health in Southern Highlands: 63.8% of women in Southern Highlands 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, 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
• Education in Southern Highlands: 42.9% of women aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
• Poverty and living standards in Southern Highlands: 68.1% of people in Southern Highlands lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
• Government budget and revenue in Southern Highlands: The Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority received K44.8 million in 2025 from the national budget, against an original budget of K77.0 million (Treasury Final Budget Outcome 2025). That is K74 per resident using the 2024 census, 2nd lowest of the 21 provinces with data; across all 21 Provincial Health Authorities it was K126.

How 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
• Madang 761,154
• National Capital District 756,754
• East Sepik 631,791
• 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

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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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