Education in West Sepik, Papua New Guinea: official figures
53.3% of women aged 15-49 in West Sepik could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 5th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
What is the literacy rate of men in West Sepik?
80.8% of men aged 15-49 in West Sepik could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, 10th 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 West Sepik have been to secondary school?
0.9% of women aged 15-49 in West Sepik had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd 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 West Sepik have been to secondary school?
1.4% of men aged 15-49 in West Sepik had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, joint 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 West Sepik attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in West Sepik was 23.5% in the 2016-18 survey, 2nd 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 West Sepik go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in West Sepik was 33.3% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 3rd 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 West Sepik go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in West Sepik was 6.9% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow West Sepik compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
West Sepik ranks 18 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Western Highlands | 62.9% |
| 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% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
West Sepik ranks 20 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)
West Sepik ranks 20 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 West Sepik: 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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