Education in Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea: official figures
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%.
What is the literacy rate of men in Southern Highlands?
57.2% of men aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, the lowest 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 Southern Highlands have been to secondary school?
2.1% of women aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 10th 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 Southern Highlands have been to secondary school?
4.7% of men aged 15-49 in Southern Highlands had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, joint 8th highest 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 Southern Highlands attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in Southern Highlands was 50.5% in the 2016-18 survey, 6th highest 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 Southern Highlands go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in Southern Highlands was 54.0% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 11th highest 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 Southern Highlands go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in Southern Highlands was 20.9% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 6th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Southern Highlands compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Eastern Highlands | 60.5% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 59.6% |
| 18 | West Sepik | 53.3% |
| 19 | Gulf Province | 52.0% |
| 20 | Enga | 48.1% |
| 21 | Southern Highlands | 42.9% |
| 22 | Hela | 38.3% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 11 of 22, highest first. Share of primary-age children in primary school
| Rank | Region | Primary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 55.8% |
| 9 | Morobe | 55.2% |
| 10 | Western Province | 54.1% |
| 11 | Southern Highlands | 54.0% |
| 12 | Central Province | 53.4% |
| 13 | New Ireland | 51.9% |
| 14 | Eastern Highlands | 51.3% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Southern Highlands ranks 6 of 22, highest first. Share of secondary-age children in secondary school
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Western Highlands | 31.1% |
| 4 | Eastern Highlands | 28.0% |
| 5 | Jiwaka | 26.7% |
| 6 | Southern Highlands | 20.9% |
| 7 | Morobe | 19.3% |
| 8 | Enga | 18.3% |
| 9 | East New Britain | 17.5% |
More on Southern Highlands: 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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