Economy, jobs and prices in Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea: official figures
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%.
How many men are employed in Western Highlands?
23.3% of men aged 15-49 in Western Highlands were currently employed in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey, 2nd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 45.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Western Highlands have non-farm jobs?
Of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands who were currently employed, 82.9% did non-agricultural work (the rest mainly farming or other agricultural work, or unrecorded), 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 51.7% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many men in Western Highlands have non-farm jobs?
Of men aged 15-49 in Western Highlands who were currently employed, 77.7% did non-agricultural work, 4th highest of the 21 provinces with data; national figure 46.6% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Western Highlands have a bank account?
18.5% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands have and use an account in a bank or other financial institution, 9th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 18.4% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Western Highlands own a mobile phone?
44.4% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands own a mobile phone, 4th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 34.1% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many men in Western Highlands own a mobile phone?
62.4% of men aged 15-49 in Western Highlands own a mobile phone, 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 50.3% (2016-18 survey).
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Western Highlands have clean drinking water?
46.7% of people in Western Highlands lived in a household with at least basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in the 2016-18 survey, joint 10th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 44.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Western Highlands have a proper toilet?
27.1% of people in Western Highlands had at least basic sanitation (an improved toilet not shared with other households) in the 2016-18 survey, 7th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 24.0%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Western Highlands compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 currently employed (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 18 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate; small provinces carry wider margins of error
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 currently employed |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Madang | 25.0% |
| 16 | Morobe | 22.7% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 21.8% |
| 18 | Western Highlands | 18.0% |
| 19 | Enga | 17.0% |
| 20 | Northern Province | 15.2% |
| 21 | Southern Highlands | 13.0% |
Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 9 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Chimbu | 24.9% |
| 7 | West New Britain | 20.6% |
| 8 | Western Province | 18.8% |
| 9 | Western Highlands | 18.5% |
| 10 | Central Province | 18.2% |
| 11 | Eastern Highlands | 16.8% |
| 12 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 15.9% |
People with at least basic drinking water service (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 11 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | People with at least basic drinking water service |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | West New Britain | 50.5% |
| 9 | Morobe | 49.2% |
| 10 | Western Province | 46.7% |
| 11 | Western Highlands | 46.7% |
| 12 | Central Province | 45.4% |
| 13 | West Sepik | 43.5% |
| 14 | Gulf Province | 40.0% |
More on Western Highlands: overview · health · education and schools · 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, Tables 3.9.1 and 3.9.2: agricultural and non-agricultural employment of women and men by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.