Papua New Guinea

Since Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, the country, which is oil, gas, mineral and forestry rich and contains over 800 distinct cultures and languages, has been struggling to boost the general standard of living and lift it's people out of poverty.

In terms of human development, Papua New Guinea is considered a country with “medium human development," with a relatively high GDP per capita (in purchasing power parity) of US $ 2,563.

However, life expectancy at birth is just 56.9 years, and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio is a low 40.7 percent. Much of the population has limited access to health, education and other services due to a complicated topography, extreme remoteness and a poor road infrastructure.

International donor contributions account for around 15-20 percent of Government revenue, and approximately half of the financing of the development budget, with the biggest donor (71 percent of the US$ 311 million worth of foreign aid contributions in 2006) being the Australian government.

The country has suffered from a violent nine-year secessionist movement that took place on the island of Bougainville, starting in 1989 and ending in 1998, which was centered around the control of the lucrative Australian-owned copper mining resource. In April 1998, a cease-fire was declared and efforts to disarm the population and engage in nation building activities continue.

On July 17, 1998, an earthquake -triggered tsunami off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea killed at least 1,500 people and left thousands more injured and homeless. More natural disasters, including cyclones and earthquakes continue to be the focus of much humanitarian assistance.

Development facts

Area:	178,703 sq mi (462,840 sq km)
Population (2005 est.):	6.1 million (growth rate: 1.9%)
GDP per capita (PPP US$), 2005	2,563
GDP per capita, annual growth rate (%), 1990-2005	0.2
Debt service, total (% of GDP), 2005	7.9
Infant mortality rate:	55/1000 births
Maternal mortality ratio, reported (per 100,000 live births), 1990-2004	370
Life expectancy at birth, annual estimates (years), 2005	56.9 years
Adult literacy rate (% aged 15 and older), 1995-2005	57.3 percent
Combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary education (%), 2005	40.7
HIV prevalence (% aged 15-49), 2005	1.8 [0.94.4]