UNICEF's country profile for Papua New Guinea, including under-five mortality rates, child health, education and sanitation data.

Graph and download economic data for Infant Mortality Rate for Papua New Guinea (SPDYNIMRTINPNG) from 1960 to 2023 about Papua New Guinea, mortality, infant, and rate.

Historical dataset showing Papua New Guinea infant mortality rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) in Papua New Guinea was reported at 32 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Papua New Guinea - Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 42.400 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 43.800 Ratio for 2015. Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 66.300 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 133.700 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 42.400 Ratio in 2016. Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Papua New Guinea – Table PG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Papua New Guinea: Infant deaths per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 33 deaths per 1000 live births, a decline from 35 deaths per 1000 live births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 19 deaths per 1000 live births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for Papua New Guinea from 1960 to 2022 is 69 deaths per 1000 live births. The minimum value, 33 deaths per 1000 live births, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 134 deaths per 1000 live births was recorded in 1960.

Infant mortality rate of Papua New Guinea fell by 3.03% from 33.0 deaths per thousand live births in 2022 to 32.0 deaths per thousand live births in 2023. Since the 2.52% decline in 2013, infant mortality rate plummeted by 24.88% in 2023. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.

Number of infant deaths in Papua New Guinea was reported at 8145 deaths in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Papua New Guinea - Number of infant deaths - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) in Papua New Guinea was reported at 34.7 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Papua New Guinea - Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Mortality rate, infant, female (per 1,000 live births) in Papua New Guinea was reported at 29.2 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Papua New Guinea - Mortality rate, infant, female (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 53.400 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 55.200 Ratio for 2016. Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 89.700 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 199.100 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 53.400 Ratio in 2017. Papua New Guinea PG: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Papua New Guinea – Table PG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Child mortality rate of Papua New Guinea slipped by 3.36% from 41.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 40.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. Since the 2.68% downward trend in 2013, child mortality rate sank by 25.92% in 2023. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to current age-specific mortality rates.

Time series data for the statistic Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) and country Papua New Guinea. Indicator Definition:Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.The indicator "Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births)" stands at 40.30 as of 12/31/2023, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -3.36 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -3.36.The 3 year change in percent is -9.44.The 5 year change in percent is -14.62.The 10 year change in percent is -25.92.The Serie's long term average value is 94.37. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is 57.30 percent lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2023, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is +0.0%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1960, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is -79.68%.

Papua New Guinea PG: Number of Death: Infant data was reported at 9,321.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9,515.000 Person for 2016. Papua New Guinea PG: Number of Death: Infant data is updated yearly, averaging 10,008.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,107.000 Person in 2005 and a record low of 9,321.000 Person in 2017. Papua New Guinea PG: Number of Death: Infant data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Papua New Guinea – Table PG.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Number of infants dying before reaching one year of age.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Sum;

Life expectancy of Papua New Guinea grew by 1.32% from 65.3 years in 2022 to 66.1 years in 2023. Since the 1.10% dip in 2021, life expectancy climb by 2.76% in 2023. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Abstract

The primary objective of the 2006 DHS is to provide to the Department of Health (DOH), Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) and other relevant institutions and users with updated and reliable data on infant and child mortality, fertility preferences, family planning behavior, maternal mortality, utilization of maternal and child health services, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and behavior, sexually risk behavior and information on the general household amenities. This information contributes to policy planning, monitoring, and program evaluation for development at all levels of government particularly at the national and provincial levels. The information will also be used to assess the performance of government development interventions aimed at addressing the targets set out under the MDG and MTDS. The long-term objective of the survey is to technically strengthen the capacity of the NSO in conducting and analyzing the results of future surveys.

The successful conduct and completion of this survey is a result of the combined effort of individuals and institutions particularly in their participation and cooperation in the Users Advisory Committee (UAC) and the National Steering Committee (NSC) in the different phases of the survey.

The survey was conducted by the Population and Social Statistics Division of the National Statistical Office of PNG. The 2006 DHS was jointly funded by the Government of PNG and Donor Partners through ADB while technical assistance was provided by International Consultants and NSO Philippines.

Geographic coverage

National level Regional level Urban and Rural

Analysis unit

• Households
• Individuals

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women and men aged 15-50 years resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The primary focus of the 2006 DHS is to provide estimates of key population and health indicators at the national level. A secondary but important priority is to also provide estimates at the regional level, and for urban and rural areas respectively. The 2006 DHS employed the same survey methodology used in the 1996 DHS. The 2006 DHS sample was a two stage self-weighting systematic cluster sample of regions with the first stage being at the census unit level and the second stage at the household level. The 2000 Census frame comprised of a list of census units was used to select the sample of 10,000 households for the 2006 DHS.

A total of 667 clusters were selected from the four regions. All census units were listed in a geographic order within their districts, and districts within each province and the sample was selected accordingly through the use of appropriate sampling fraction. The distribution of households according to urban-rural sectors was as follows:

8,000 households were allocated to the rural areas of PNG. The proportional allocation was used to allocate the first 4,000 households to regions based on projected citizen household population in 2006. The other 4,000 households were allocated equally across all four regions to ensure that each region have sufficient sample for regional level analysis.

2,000 households were allocated to the urban areas of PNG using proportional allocation based on the 2006 projected urban citizen population. This allocation was to ensure that the most accurate estimates for urban areas are obtained at the national level.

All households in the selected census units were listed in a separate field operation from June to July 2006. From the list of households, 16 households were selected in the rural census units and 12 in the urban census units using systematic sampling. All women and men age 15-50 years who were either usual residents of the selected households or visitors present in the household on the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Further information on the survey design is contained in Appendix A of the survey report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used in the 2006 DHS namely; the Household Questionnaire (HHQ), the Female Individual Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Male Individual Questionnaire (MIQ). The planning and development of these questionnaires involved close consultation with the UAC members comprising of the following line departments and agencies namely; Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DOE), Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), National Aids Council Secretariat (NACS), Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Department of Labour and Employment (DLE), University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), National Research Institute (NRI) and representatives from Development partners.

The HHQ was designed to collect background information for all members of the selected households. This information was used to identify eligible female and male respondents for the respective individual questionnaires. Additional information on household amenities and services, and malaria prevention was also collected.

The FIQ contains questions on respondents background, including marriage and polygyny; birth history, maternal and child health, knowledge and use of contraception, fertility preferences, HIV/AIDS including new modules on sexual risk behaviour and attitudes to issues of well being. All females age 15-50 years identified from the HHQ were eligible for interview using this questionnaire.

The MIQ collected almost the same information as in the FIQ except for birth history. All males age 15-50 years identified from the HHQ were eligible to be interviewed using the MIQ.

Two pre-tests were carried out aimed at testing the flow of the existing and new questions and the administering of the MIQ between March and April 2006. The final questionnaires contained all the modules used in the 1996 DHS including new modules on malaria prevention, sexual risk behaviour and attitudes to issues of well being.

Cleaning operations

All questionnaires from the field were sent to the NSO headquarters in Port Moresby in February 2007 for editing and coding, data entry and data cleaning. Editing was done in 3 stages to enable the creation of clean data files for each province from which the tabulations were generated. Data entry and processing were done using the CSPro software and was completed by October 2008.

Response rate

Table A.2 of the survey report provides a summary of the sample implementation of the 2006 DHS. Despite the recency of the household listing, approximately 7 per cent of households could not be contacted due to prolonged absence or because their dwellings were vacant or had been destroyed. Among the households contacted, a response rate of 97 per cent was achieved. Within the 9,017 households successfully interviewed, a total of 11, 456 women and 11, 463 of men age 15-49 years were eligible to be interviewed. Successful interviews were conducted with 90 per cent of eligible women (10, 353) and 88 per cent of eligible men (10,077). The most common cause of non-response was absence (5 per cent). Among the regions, the rate of success among women was highest in all the regions (92 per cent each) except for Momase region at 86 per cent. The rate of success among men was highest in Highlands and Islands region and lowest in Momase region. The overall response rate, calculated as the product of the household and female individual response rate (.97*.90) was 87 per cent.

Sampling error estimates

Appendix B of the survey report describes the general procedure in the computation of sampling errors of the sample survey estimates generated. It basically follows the procedure adopted in most Demographic and Health Surveys.

Data appraisal

Appendix C explains to the data users the quality of the 2006 DHS. Non-sampling errors are those that occur in surveys and censuses through the following causes: a) Failure to locate the selected household b) Mistakes in the way questions were asked c) Misunderstanding by the interviewer or respondent d) Coding errors e) Data entry errors, etc.

Total eradication of non-sampling errors is impossible however great measures were taken to minimize them as much as possible. These measures included: a) Careful questionnaire design b) Pretesting of survey instruments to guarantee their functionality c) A month of interviewers’ and supervisors’ training d) Careful fieldwork supervision including field visits by NSOHQ personnel e) A swift data processing prior to data entry f ) The use of interactive data entry software to minimize errors

Papua New Guinea PG: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data was reported at 65.544 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 65.384 Year for 2015. Papua New Guinea PG: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 58.329 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 65.544 Year in 2016 and a record low of 41.891 Year in 1960. Papua New Guinea PG: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Papua New Guinea – Table PG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Abstract

The main objective of a demographic household survey (DHS) is to provide estimates of a number of basic demographic and health variables. This is done through interviews with a scientifically selected probability sample that is chosen from a well-defined population.

The 2007 Nauru Demographic and Health Survey (2007 NDHS) was one of four pilot demographic and health surveys conducted in the Pacific under an Asian Development Bank ADB/ Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Regional DHS Pilot Project. The primary objective of this survey was to provide up-to-date information for policy-makers, planners, researchers and programme managers, for use in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population and health programmes within the country. The survey was intended to provide key estimates of Nauru's demographics and health situation. The findings of the 2007 NDHS are very important in measuring the achievements of family planning and other health programmes. To ensure better understanding and use of these data, the results of this survey should be widely disseminated at different planning levels. Different dissemination techniques will be used to reach different segments of society.

The primary purpose of the 2007 NDHS was to furnish policy-makers and planners with detailed information on fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, maternal and child health, nutrition, and knowledge of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

NOTE: The only dissemination used was wide distribution of the report. A planned data use workshop was not undertaken. Hence there is some misconceptions and lack of awareness on the results obtained from the survey. The report is provided on the NBOS website free for download.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage - Districts

Analysis unit

• Households
• Children (0-14yrs)
• Individual women of reproductive age (15-49 yrs)
• Individual men of reproductive age (15yrs+)
• Facilities providing reproductive and child health services

Universe

The survey covered all household members (usual residents), - All children (aged 0-14 years) resident in the household - All women of reproductive age (15-49 years) resident in all household - All males (15yrs and above) in every second household (approx. 50%) resident in selected household

Results: The 2007 Nauru Demographic Health Survey (2007 NDHS) is a nationally representative survey of 655 eligible women (aged 15-49) and 392 eligible men (aged 15 and above).

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

IDG NOTES: Locate sampling documentation with SPC (Graeme Brown) and internal files. Add in this sections. Or second option dilute appendix A Sampling and extract key issues.

ESTIMATES OF SAMPLING ERRORS - Refer to Appendix A of final NDHS2007 report or; - External Resources - 2007 DHS- Appendix A and B Sampling (to be created separatedly by IDG progress ongoing)

Sampling deviation

IDG NOTES: Locate sampling documentation with Macro and internal files. Add in this section. Or second option dilute appendix B Sampling and extract key issues.

ESTIMATES OF SAMPLING ERRORS - Refer to Appendix B of final NDHS2007 report or;

• External Resources
  • 2007 DHS- Appendix A and B Sampling (to be created separatedly by IDG progress ongoing)

Extract:

In the 2007 NDHS Report of the survey results, sampling errors for selected variables have been presented in a tabular format. The sampling error tables should include:

.. Variable name

R: Value of the estimate; SE: Sampling error of the estimate; N: Unweighted number of cases on which the estimate is based; WN: Weighted number of cases; DEFT: Design effect value that compensates for the loss of precision that results from using cluster rather than simple random sampling; SE/R: Relative standard error (i.e. ratio of the sampling error to the value estimate); R-2SE: Lower limit of the 95% confidence interval; R+2SE: Upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (never >1.000 for a proportion).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

DHS questionnaire for women cover the following sections:

• Background characteristics (age, education, religion, etc)
• Reproductive history
• Knowledge and use of contraception methods
• Antenatal care, delivery care and postnatal care
• Breastfeeding and infant feeding
• Immunization, child health and nutrition
• Marriage and recent sexual activity
• Fertility preferences
• Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections
• Husbands background and women's work

The men's questionnaire covers the same except for sections 4, 5, 6 which are not applicable to men.

It was also recognized that some countries have a need for special information that is not contained in the core questionnaire. Separate questionnaire modules were developed on a series of topics. These topics are optional and include:

• maternal mortality
• pill-taking behaviour
• sterilization experience
• children's education
• women's status
• domestic violence
• health expenditures
• consanguinity

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) questionnaire was proposed for Nauru to adapt as in comparison to the existing DHS model, this is not as lengthy and time-consuming. The PNG questionnaire also dealt with high incidence of alcohol and tobacco in Nauru. Questions on HIV/AIDS and STI knowledge were included in the men's questionnaire where it was not included in the PNG questionnaire.

Response rate

IDG NOTES: Locate response rate documentation with SPC (Graeme Brown) and internal files. Add in this sections.

66.1 (years) in 2023. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Papua New Guinea PG: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data was reported at 58.801 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 58.558 % for 2015. Papua New Guinea PG: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data is updated yearly, averaging 45.042 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.801 % in 2016 and a record low of 22.461 % in 1960. Papua New Guinea PG: Survival To Age 65: Male: % of Cohort data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Papua New Guinea – Table PG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Survival to age 65 refers to the percentage of a cohort of newborn infants that would survive to age 65, if subject to age specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;