Papua New Guinea Population
East Asia & Pacific · 88th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
11,004,812
The population of Papua New Guinea is about 11,004,812 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 10.9 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.13% of the world's people.
Papua New Guinea is ranked 88th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.72% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 14.9 million. That is 5.5 times its 1960 population of 2.0 million. Population density is 24 people per square kilometre. 16% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
10.9 million
Yearly change
+1.72%
World rank
88th
Share of world
0.13%
Density
24/km²
Land area
452,860 km²
Life expectancy
66.3 yrs
Births per woman
3.07
GDP per capita
$3,020
GDP
$32.5B
Population of Papua New Guinea, 1960–2050
Papua New Guinea population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,995,110 | — | 4 |
| 1970 | 2,505,628 | +2.40% | 6 |
| 1980 | 3,131,512 | +2.09% | 7 |
| 1990 | 3,896,481 | +2.64% | 9 |
| 2000 | 5,537,064 | +3.51% | 12 |
| 2010 | 7,633,523 | +3.07% | 17 |
| 2020 | 9,815,746 | +2.15% | 22 |
| 2024 | 10,576,502 | +1.80% | 23 |
| 2026proj. | 10,947,848 | +1.72% | 24 |
| 2030proj. | 11,671,424 | +1.55% | 26 |
| 2040proj. | 13,376,160 | +1.24% | 30 |
| 2050proj. | 14,906,590 | +0.97% | 33 |
Papua New Guinea vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 16.2 times as many people as Papua New Guinea. Bangladesh is 56.5 times more densely populated.
Papua New Guinea population: questions and answers
What is the population of Papua New Guinea in 2026?
About 10,947,848 (10.9 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Papua New Guinea's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.72% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Papua New Guinea?
About 24 people per km², with a land area of 452,860 km².
What will the population of Papua New Guinea be in 2050?
About 14.9 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?
Port Moresby.
What is the life expectancy in Papua New Guinea?
66.3 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.