Papua New Guinea has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades, with its population increasing from around 2 million in the 1970s to over 10 million in 2024. This growth is driven primarily by a high birth rate and a relatively young population, with a median age of around 22 years. Despite significant challenges such as limited infrastructure, difficult terrain, and varying access to healthcare and education, the country’s annual population growth rate remains above 2%. Urbanization is gradually increasing, but the majority of Papua New Guineans still live in rural areas, often in small, scattered communities. As the population continues to grow, the country faces both opportunities for economic development and challenges related to resource management and service provision.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,412,466 | 3.1 |
| 1955 | 1,545,070 | 3.4 |
| 1960 | 1,718,326 | 3.8 |
| 1965 | 1,940,760 | 4.3 |
| 1970 | 2,213,600 | 4.9 |
| 1975 | 2,570,581 | 5.7 |
| 1980 | 3,019,332 | 6.7 |
| 1985 | 3,462,897 | 7.6 |
| 1990 | 4,024,738 | 8.9 |
| 1995 | 4,688,518 | 10.4 |
| 2000 | 5,419,608 | 12 |
| 2005 | 6,197,855 | 13.7 |
| 2010 | 7,064,435 | 15.6 |
| 2015 | 8,057,405 | 17.8 |
| 2020 | 9,145,715 | 20.2 |
| 2022 | 9,593,498 | 21.2 |
| 2023 | 9,819,350 | 21.7 |
| 2024 | 10,046,233 | 22.2 |
| 2025 | 10,273,996 | 22.7 |
| 2030 | 11,421,887 | 25.2 |
| 2035 | 12,576,047 | 27.8 |
| 2040 | 13,724,829 | 30.3 |
| 2045 | 14,850,941 | 32.8 |
| 2050 | 15,933,221 | 35.2 |
| 2055 | 16,955,559 | 37.4 |
| 2060 | 17,909,757 | 39.5 |
| 2065 | 18,791,241 | 41.5 |
| 2070 | 19,596,551 | 43.3 |
| 2075 | 20,319,171 | 44.9 |
| 2080 | 20,949,869 | 46.3 |
| 2085 | 21,480,359 | 47.4 |
| 2090 | 21,905,798 | 48.4 |
| 2095 | 22,223,990 | 49.1 |
| 2100 | 22,432,419 | 49.5 |
Data from US Census International Database