Education in Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea: official figures
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%.
What is the literacy rate of men in Western Highlands?
86.5% of men aged 15-49 in Western Highlands could read at least part of a sentence in the 2016-18 survey, 9th highest 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 Western Highlands have been to secondary school?
8.1% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 3rd highest 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 Western Highlands have been to secondary school?
6.7% of men aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had attended secondary school or higher in the 2016-18 survey, 5th 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 Western Highlands attend elementary school?
The net attendance ratio in elementary school (children of the official age who are in elementary school) in Western Highlands was 44.2% in the 2016-18 survey, 11th 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 Western Highlands go to primary school?
The net attendance ratio in primary school in Western Highlands was 65.3% in the 2016-18 survey (children of primary age who were in primary school), 3rd 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 Western Highlands go to secondary school?
The net attendance ratio in secondary school in Western Highlands was 31.1% in the 2016-18 survey (children of secondary age who were in secondary school), 3rd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 20.6%.
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 able to read at least part of a sentence (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Northern Province | 69.5% |
| 13 | Western Province | 67.4% |
| 14 | Chimbu | 66.3% |
| 15 | Western Highlands | 62.9% |
| 16 | Eastern Highlands | 60.5% |
| 17 | Jiwaka | 59.6% |
| 18 | West Sepik | 53.3% |
Primary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 3 of 22, highest first. Share of primary-age children in primary school
| Rank | Region | Primary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manus | 69.1% |
| 2 | National Capital District | 68.8% |
| 3 | Western Highlands | 65.3% |
| 4 | Jiwaka | 64.4% |
| 5 | Chimbu | 62.0% |
| 6 | East New Britain | 62.0% |
| 7 | Milne Bay | 56.5% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 3 of 22, highest first. Share of secondary-age children in secondary school
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chimbu | 51.4% |
| 2 | National Capital District | 45.1% |
| 3 | Western Highlands | 31.1% |
| 4 | Eastern Highlands | 28.0% |
| 5 | Jiwaka | 26.7% |
| 6 | Southern Highlands | 20.9% |
| 7 | Morobe | 19.3% |
More on Western 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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