Western Highlands: population, jobs, health, schooling, living standards and provincial budgets
Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea, number 8 of 22 by population. The 2024 census counted 462,566 people in Western Highlands (237,582 males and 224,984 females), 4.5% of Papua New Guinea's 10,185,363; 8th largest of 22 provinces by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Western Highlands: 18.0% of women aged 15-49 in Western 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 5th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
- Health in Western Highlands: 80.8% of women in Western 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, 8th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
- Education in Western Highlands: 62.9% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands could read at least part of a sentence (the DHS literacy test) in the 2016-18 survey, 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 66.4%.
- Poverty and living standards in Western Highlands: 41.6% of people in Western Highlands lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 57.2%.
- Government budget and revenue in Western Highlands: The Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority received K66.1 million in 2025 from the national budget, against an original budget of K61.9 million (Treasury Final Budget Outcome 2025). That is K143 per resident using the 2024 census, 11th highest of the 21 provinces with data; across all 21 Provincial Health Authorities it was K126.
How fast is the population of Western Highlands growing?
The population of Western Highlands grew from 362,850 at the 2011 census to 462,566 in 2024, an average of 1.9% a year (Papua New Guinea: 2.6% a year); 6th slowest of 22 provinces for growth.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyWhat is the sex ratio in Western Highlands?
The 2024 census recorded 106 males for every 100 females in Western Highlands (Papua New Guinea: 110); 2nd lowest of 22 provinces for men per 100 women.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow crowded is Western Highlands?
Western Highlands had 109 people per square kilometre at the 2024 census (Papua New Guinea: 22), 2nd highest of 22 provinces for population density.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many districts are there in Western Highlands?
Western Highlands has 4 census districts. The largest is Hagen Central with 160,914 people, 35% of the total.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea · saved copyHow many births are registered in Western Highlands?
4.6% of children under five in Western Highlands had their births registered with the civil authorities in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey (Papua New Guinea: 13.4%); 4th lowest of 22 provinces.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow 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
- Southern Highlands 602,085
- Enga 489,971
- 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
Up a level: Papua New Guinea · government and power in 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 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.