Economy, jobs and prices in Western Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
38.2% of women aged 15-49 in Western Province 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 highest of 22 provinces; national figure 29.0%.
How many men are employed in Western Province?
30.8% of men aged 15-49 in Western Province were currently employed in the 2016-18 Demographic and Health Survey, 5th 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 Province have non-farm jobs?
Of women aged 15-49 in Western Province who were currently employed, 36.8% did non-agricultural work (the rest mainly farming or other agricultural work, or unrecorded), 7th lowest 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 Province have non-farm jobs?
Of men aged 15-49 in Western Province who were currently employed, 55.3% did non-agricultural work, 9th 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 Province have a bank account?
18.8% of women aged 15-49 in Western Province have and use an account in a bank or other financial institution, 8th 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 Province own a mobile phone?
20.8% of women aged 15-49 in Western Province own a mobile phone, 5th lowest 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 Province own a mobile phone?
32.9% of men aged 15-49 in Western Province own a mobile phone, 2nd lowest 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 Province have clean drinking water?
46.7% of people in Western Province 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 Province have a proper toilet?
27.8% of people in Western Province had at least basic sanitation (an improved toilet not shared with other households) in the 2016-18 survey, 6th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 24.0%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Western Province compares with other provinces
Women aged 15-49 currently employed (2016-18)
Western Province ranks 5 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate; small provinces carry wider margins of error
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 currently employed |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Milne Bay | 50.3% |
| 3 | Eastern Highlands | 40.8% |
| 4 | East Sepik | 38.6% |
| 5 | Western Province | 38.2% |
| 6 | West Sepik | 37.2% |
| 7 | National Capital District | 37.0% |
| 8 | New Ireland | 36.9% |
Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account (2016-18)
Western Province ranks 8 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Women aged 15-49 who have and use a bank account |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | East New Britain | 27.4% |
| 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% |
People with at least basic drinking water service (2016-18)
Western Province ranks 10 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | People with at least basic drinking water service |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Eastern Highlands | 52.3% |
| 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% |
More on Western Province: 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…)
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