Urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea: Urban and rural population was 1.70 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.70 million
Change on year
up 4.2%
World rank
140th
of 236 countries
All-time high
1.70 million
in 2025
All-time low
26,238
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea stood at 1.70 million. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.2% on the previous year and up 46.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea peaked at 1.70 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 26,238, in 1950.
Papua New Guinea ranks 140th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 26,238 | — |
| 1951 | 27,083 | +3.2% |
| 1952 | 28,611 | +5.6% |
| 1953 | 30,902 | +8.0% |
| 1954 | 33,925 | +9.8% |
| 1955 | 37,711 | +11.2% |
| 1956 | 42,298 | +12.2% |
| 1957 | 47,705 | +12.8% |
| 1958 | 53,956 | +13.1% |
| 1959 | 61,073 | +13.2% |
| 1960 | 69,084 | +13.1% |
| 1961 | 77,878 | +12.7% |
| 1962 | 87,414 | +12.2% |
| 1963 | 97,795 | +11.9% |
| 1964 | 109,015 | +11.5% |
| 1965 | 121,126 | +11.1% |
| 1966 | 134,314 | +10.9% |
| 1967 | 154,933 | +15.4% |
| 1968 | 185,704 | +19.9% |
| 1969 | 221,465 | +19.3% |
| 1970 | 256,501 | +15.8% |
| 1971 | 284,446 | +10.9% |
| 1972 | 306,870 | +7.9% |
| 1973 | 329,110 | +7.2% |
| 1974 | 349,566 | +6.2% |
| 1975 | 366,518 | +4.8% |
| 1976 | 378,105 | +3.2% |
| 1977 | 386,038 | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 393,565 | +1.9% |
| 1979 | 401,044 | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 408,931 | +2.0% |
| 1981 | 418,762 | +2.4% |
| 1982 | 432,762 | +3.3% |
| 1983 | 450,335 | +4.1% |
| 1984 | 470,704 | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 492,991 | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 516,234 | +4.7% |
| 1987 | 539,358 | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 561,179 | +4.0% |
| 1989 | 580,960 | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 599,110 | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 616,231 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 632,069 | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 645,607 | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 656,884 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 666,648 | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 675,895 | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 685,793 | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 697,421 | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 712,304 | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 732,159 | +2.8% |
| 2001 | 755,375 | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 779,188 | +3.2% |
| 2003 | 803,628 | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 828,668 | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 854,301 | +3.1% |
| 2006 | 880,574 | +3.1% |
| 2007 | 907,494 | +3.1% |
| 2008 | 935,124 | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 963,461 | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 992,525 | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 1.02 million | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 1.05 million | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 1.08 million | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 1.12 million | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 1.16 million | +3.4% |
| 2016 | 1.20 million | +3.5% |
| 2017 | 1.24 million | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 1.29 million | +3.8% |
| 2019 | 1.34 million | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 1.39 million | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 1.45 million | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 1.50 million | +4.0% |
| 2023 | 1.56 million | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 1.63 million | +4.2% |
| 2025 | 1.70 million | +4.2% |
Papua New Guinea compared with similar countries
- Papua New Guinea's 1.70 million is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.62 million, 26% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Papua New Guinea's 1.70 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 722,007, 2.4× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 38,950 | 26,238 | 61,073 | 10 |
| 1960s | 125,873 | 69,084 | 221,465 | 10 |
| 1970s | 345,176 | 256,501 | 401,044 | 10 |
| 1980s | 487,222 | 408,931 | 580,960 | 10 |
| 1990s | 658,796 | 599,110 | 712,304 | 10 |
| 2000s | 843,997 | 732,159 | 963,461 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.15 million | 992,525 | 1.34 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.54 million | 1.39 million | 1.70 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Papua New Guinea
More population data for Papua New Guinea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0564 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.3478 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0564 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0669 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 14,910 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.58 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5424 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.048 (2100)
- Population density 41.16 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.15 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea?
- Urban and rural population in Papua New Guinea was 1.70 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.70 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The lowest recorded value was 26,238 in 1950.
- How does Papua New Guinea rank for urban and rural population?
- Papua New Guinea ranks 140th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in Papua New Guinea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 46.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Papua New Guinea data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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