Papua New Guinea's Population set to reach 10 million

PNG's Population set to reach 10 million. Photo: credit: Austine Bodger

The National Statistical Office, NSO says Papua New Guinea’s population is set to reach 10 million after the its verifies its preliminary findings. NSO National Statistician, Roko Koloma says the increase reflects the country’s population boom that is said to be correlated with the rapid

increase of infrastructure development in the past decade. 

“The National Statistical Office stands for the people because every number that we collect or estimate whether it is social or economic or

socio-economic, it’s a benefit to the people.” “And these are very important estimates because government can then conjure their own predictions of the economy based on the data we present

to them,” said Koloma. Last week the data collection entity launched its 2016 Calendar with

specific activities to be attained this year. Notable activities include the release of the first quarter Consumer Price  ndex, CPI for this year and the 2013 Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

“The CPI that is released every quarter of every year is scheduled date 17th of this month, which basically tells us the inflation rate – when you go to the shops, the shelf price of various items is always there and we measure the consistency of their marketability and price patterns.”

“We measure close to 300 hundred items like rice sugar tinned butter bread etc and we release our findings every quarter and we inform government.” “We also advise Treasury and the Central Bank - these are very important estimates because government can then conjure their own predictions of the

economy based on the data we present to them,” Kolomo said “And these are very important estimates because government can then conjure their own predictions of the economy based on the data we present to them,” said Koloma.