PNG Population Boom

Port Moresby population is also increasing

Papua New Guinea’s population stands at around 7.8 million.

The Census 2011 figures, finally released yesterday after a three-year delay, puts the total population figure at 7.3 million, but with the annual growth rate of 3.1 percent, it was assumed that the real figure would stand at approximately 7.8 million, said Planning Minister Charles Abel after releasing the figures yesterday.

Mr Abel said in year 2000 the population was 5.2 million and in 2011, as released by the National Statistical office yesterday, it stands at 7.3 million.

"These final census figures have been long in coming, these census figures are supposed to be produced every 10 years, in the last 38 years, governments have managed to have three census and this is the fourth one," Mr Abel said. That translates to an annual population growth rate of 3.1 percent.

This meant that since 2011, with the growth rate of 3 percent, PNG would have approximately 7.8 million people.