Poverty and living standards in Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea: official figures
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%.
How many people in Western Highlands are severely food insecure?
15.4% of people in Western Highlands lived in households with severe food insecurity (going without food for a day or more) in the 2016-18 survey, 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 25.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is violence against women in Western Highlands?
52.6% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had experienced physical violence since the age of 15 (2016-18 survey), 11th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 55.6%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Western Highlands suffered violence in the last year?
35.9% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had experienced physical violence often or sometimes in the 12 months before the 2016-18 survey, 11th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 37.9%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is sexual violence in Western Highlands?
21.2% of women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had ever experienced sexual violence (2016-18 survey), 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 28.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is domestic violence in Western Highlands?
59.3% of ever-married women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a current or most recent husband or partner (2016-18 survey), 8th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 62.9%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many women in Western Highlands are beaten by their partner?
53.5% of ever-married women aged 15-49 in Western Highlands had experienced physical violence from a husband or partner (2016-18 survey), 10th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 54.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Western Highlands compares with other provinces
People in households with moderate or severe food insecurity (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 20 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | People in households with moderate or severe food insecurity |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Enga | 56.5% |
| 17 | East Sepik | 55.5% |
| 18 | National Capital District | 48.2% |
| 19 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 45.2% |
| 20 | Western Highlands | 41.6% |
| 21 | Jiwaka | 36.6% |
| 22 | Madang | 34.7% |
Ever-married women who experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a partner (2016-18)
Western Highlands ranks 15 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Ever-married women who experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from a partner |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | West Sepik | 61.2% |
| 13 | East Sepik | 60.8% |
| 14 | Central Province | 60.2% |
| 15 | Western Highlands | 59.3% |
| 16 | Western Province | 58.1% |
| 17 | West New Britain | 58.1% |
| 18 | Autonomous Region of Bougainville | 57.1% |
More on Western Highlands: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · 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 2.17: household food insecurity by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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