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Papua New Guinea flag

Papua New Guinea

Capital:Port Moresby
Population:6.1M
Currency:Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
Language:Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region
Two young kids at Sepik River

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

The people are proud of their diversity and land. Most individuals have a strong sense of belonging to a tribe or language group. They also value their gardens, and their own physical abilities, endurance, and strength. There is a desire for material things and a sense of inadequacy in not being able to obtain them. Family and clan loyalty is strong and there is an obligation to share one's income and possessions. People are event oriented. Meetings or gatherings may not take place on time.

Cultural Attributes

The people are proud of their diversity and land. Most individuals have a strong sense of belonging to a tribe or language group. They also value their gardens, and their own physical abilities, endurance, and strength. There is a desire for material things and a sense of inadequacy in not being able to obtain them. Family and clan loyalty is strong and there is an obligation to share one's income and possessions. People are event oriented. Meetings or gatherings may not take place on time.

Two young kids at Sepik River

Land of a Thousand Tribes

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Papua New Guineans greet by shaking hands. Other greetings vary depending on the area and language group. When passing a stranger, a nod of the head and a smile are adequate gestures. When addressing an important official, one uses the appropriate title with a full name. In most other cases, people use first names to address one another.

Gestures with the head, eyes, and eyebrows are important to communication. Staring at a person of the opposite sex is very offensive. Men often hold hands in public as a sign of friendship, as do women, but it is not acceptable for members of the opposite sex to do so. A short hiss and sideways motion of the head indicates disgust or derision. The “thumbs-up” sign is considered offensive to some.

Papua New Guineans may spend a large portion of each day visiting, often stopping in at the home of a relative or friend to share some food, smoke tobacco, or chew betel nut and discuss the day’s news. Visiting is welcomed, whether impromptu or planned. Visits are usually informal and often lengthy.

Western-style clothing is most common, with traditional attire limited to extremely remote areas. Men wear shorts or pants, but a shirt is optional when one is hot or doing physical labor. Both men and women often wear laplap (wrap around sarong).

Diet

The staple food in the Highlands is kaukau (sweet potato), while on the coast and in the lowlands saksak (a starchy extract from the sago palm) is the main source of calories. Taro is a staple of both regions, as are a myriad of fruits and vegetables from banana to yams. Beer is popular as a status drink among men.

In general, two large meals are eaten, with snacking throughout the day. The most common utensil is the spoon. Hands are used otherwise. There are rarely second helpings, and asking for them can imply the host has not provided adequately. Most people sit on the ground or floor when eating, although tables might be used in urban areas.

The staple food in the Highlands is kaukau (sweet potato), while on the coast and in the lowlands saksak (a starchy extract from the sago palm) is the main source of calories. Taro is a staple of both regions, as are a myriad of fruits and vegetables from banana to yams. Beer is popular as a status drink among men.

Man dressed in face paint for sing sing festival.

Family

The extended family is the basis of support for most people. While a household is usually occupied by the nuclear family, a child often refers to having more than one mother or father and numerous siblings who, in Western society, would be called aunts, uncles, and cousins, Parents who are infertile or who have recently lost a child are often given an infant or child by relatives. There is a great deal of obligation and duty associated with family. Extended family members share food, wealth, and work.

In cities, both men and women may work outside the home. A majority of family structures are patriarchal, although there are some matriarchal societies in PNG. Men usually handle construction activities. Women usually cook and prepare food, and take care of small children, animals, and the garden.

Dating Customs

A woman is officially purchased and her family compensated for its loss through a negotiated bride price, which is exchanged in a ceremony before the wedding. A typical price might include several pigs, money and food. The groom’s extended family contributes to the bride price and the bride’s extended family shares it.

Recreation

Soccer, rugby, and cricket are popular sports. Traditional recreation involves storytelling, dance and song. Electricity is not available everywhere so television is a luxury.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/16

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • September 16th

How do people greet each other in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guineans greet by shaking hands, though customs vary by area and language group. A nod and a smile are enough when passing a stranger.

Do

  • Shake hands when greeting
  • Nod and smile when passing a stranger
  • Use the appropriate title with a full name for important officials
  • Use first names in most casual cases

What are the dining customs in Papua New Guinea?

People typically eat two large meals with snacking throughout the day, usually sitting on the ground or floor, using a spoon or their hands.

Do

  • Use a spoon, the most common utensil
  • Sit on the ground or floor to eat (tables may be used in urban areas)

Don’t

  • Don't ask for second helpings, as it can imply the host did not provide adequately

Good to know

  • Staple foods include kaukau (sweet potato) in the Highlands and saksak (sago palm extract) on the coast and lowlands
  • Taro, bananas, and yams are common; beer is popular as a status drink among men

What should I know about social etiquette in Papua New Guinea?

Visiting is a big part of daily life and is welcomed whether planned or impromptu, and people are event-oriented rather than time-oriented.

Do

  • Welcome and enjoy informal, often lengthy visits
  • Share food, tobacco, or betel nut and discuss the day's news when visiting

Good to know

  • Meetings and gatherings may not start on time
  • Family and clan loyalty is strong, with an obligation to share income and possessions

How should I dress in Papua New Guinea?

Western-style clothing is most common, with traditional attire limited to extremely remote areas.

Good to know

  • Men wear shorts or pants; a shirt is optional when hot or doing physical labor
  • Both men and women often wear laplap (a wraparound sarong)

Which gestures matter in Papua New Guinea?

Gestures with the head, eyes, and eyebrows are important to communication, and some gestures carry strong meanings.

Don’t

  • Don't stare at a person of the opposite sex, as it is very offensive
  • Don't hold hands with a member of the opposite sex in public
  • Avoid the thumbs-up sign, which some consider offensive

Good to know

  • Men holding hands, and women holding hands, is a sign of friendship
  • A short hiss and sideways motion of the head indicates disgust or derision

What is family life like in Papua New Guinea?

The extended family is the basis of support, sharing food, wealth, and work, with a great deal of obligation and duty.

Good to know

  • A child may refer to having more than one mother or father and many siblings
  • Infertile parents or those who lost a child are often given a child by relatives
  • Most family structures are patriarchal, though some societies are matriarchal
  • Men usually handle construction; women cook, care for children, animals, and the garden

What do people do for fun in Papua New Guinea?

Soccer, rugby, and cricket are popular sports, while traditional recreation involves storytelling, dance, and song.

Good to know

  • Electricity is not available everywhere, so television is a luxury

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Papua New Guinea

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
kina (PGK)
Time Difference
UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11)
Climate
Papua New Guinea lies wholly within the Tropics, and its climate is monsoonal. The "wet" northwest monsoon season extends from December to March and the "dry" southeast monsoon from May to October. Average annual rainfall is high, ranging from 80 to 100 inches. Although many areas have a wet and dry season, these terms are relative. Even in the so‑called dry season, 2–4 inches of rain per month fall in most areas. Many areas receive more than 200 inches, but a few, like Port Moresby, lie in a rain shadow and receive 40 inches or less annually. Although tropical, temperatures are not extreme. Most lowland, coastal, and island areas have a daily average temperature of 81°F, and seasonal variations are slight. In the highlands, temperature varies with altitude. At 6,000 feet, the average temperature is 61°F; daytime temperatures rise to 90°F and nighttime temperatures fall between 40°F and 50°F. Lowland humidity is uniformly about 80% with very little seasonal variation. Humidity fluctuates more in the highlands where temperatures are lower.
Airports
559
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Tomato Soup

Main Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Prehistoric Settlement

    50000 BCE – 1526

    Papua New Guinea was among the earliest regions outside Africa to be settled by modern humans, with evidence of habitation dating back roughly 50,000 years. Inhabitants developed sophisticated agriculture independently — cultivating sugarcane, taro, yams, and bananas — at roughly the same time farming emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Coastal communities engaged in active trade networks exchanging pottery, shell ornaments, and foodstuffs long before European contact.

  2. Early European Contact

    1526 – 1884

    Portuguese navigator Don Jorge de Meneses became the first European credited with landing on the main island in 1526–27, giving it the name 'Papua.' In 1545, Spanish explorer Íñigo Ortiz de Retes named the island 'New Guinea' for its perceived resemblance to the African Guinea coast. For the next three centuries Europeans mapped coastlines but made little sustained contact with interior populations, whose complex societies remained largely undisturbed.

  3. Colonial Partition

    1884 – 1914

    In 1884–85, Germany and Britain formally partitioned eastern New Guinea, establishing German New Guinea in the north and British New Guinea in the south. Britain transferred its southern territory to Australia in 1902, renamed it the Territory of Papua, and brought it under Australian administration. Colonial rule introduced cash crops, Christian missions, and administrative infrastructure while displacing traditional governance structures across the island.

  4. Australian Mandate & WWII

    1914 – 1945

    Australian forces seized German New Guinea at the outbreak of World War I in 1914, and the League of Nations subsequently granted Australia a formal mandate over the territory in 1921. During World War II, the island became a critical theater of the Pacific War, with Japanese forces advancing to within striking distance of Australia before being repelled in brutal campaigns along the Kokoda Track and at Guadalcanal. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians perished during the Japanese occupation and Allied counteroffensives.

  5. Path to Independence

    1945 – 1975

    Following World War II, Australia administered both Papua and the former German territory under a United Nations trusteeship, gradually introducing elected representation and preparing the territory for self-governance. The combined entity was renamed Papua New Guinea in 1971, and a House of Assembly with significant indigenous participation was established. Full independence was achieved on September 16, 1975, with Sir Michael Somare — widely regarded as the 'Father of the Nation' — becoming the country's first Prime Minister.

  6. Independent Nation

    1975 – present

    Since independence, Papua New Guinea has navigated significant challenges including a nine-year secessionist conflict on Bougainville Island that claimed approximately 20,000 lives before a peace agreement was reached in 1997. The country possesses vast natural resources — including gold, copper, and liquefied natural gas — that have attracted major international investment, notably a landmark LNG deal with China in 2009. Persistent issues of political instability, crime, and uneven development continue to shape the nation's trajectory.

Overview

Although the first arrivals were hunters and gatherers, early evidence shows that people managed the forest environment to provide food. There also are indications of gardening having been practiced at the same time that agriculture was developing in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Early garden crops--many of which are indigenous--included sugarcane, Pacific bananas, yams, and taros, while sago and pandanus were two commonly exploited native forest crops. Today’s staples--sweet potatoes and pigs--were later arrivals, but shellfish and fish have long been mainstays of coastal dwellers’ diets.

When Europeans first arrived, inhabitants of New Guinea and nearby islands--while still relying on bone, wood, and stone tools--had a productive agricultural system. They traded along the coast, where products mainly were pottery, shell ornaments, and foodstuffs, and in the interior, where forest products were exchanged for shells and other sea products.

The first Europeans to sight New Guinea were probably the Portuguese and Spanish navigators sailing in the South Pacific in the early part of the 16th century. In 1526-27, Don Jorge de Meneses accidentally came upon the principal island and is credited with naming it "Papua," a Malay word for the frizzled quality of Melanesian hair. The term "New Guinea" was applied to the island in 1545 by a Spaniard, Íñigo Ortiz de Retes, because of a fancied resemblance between the islands’ inhabitants and those found on the African Guinea coast. Although European navigators visited the islands and explored their coastlines for the next 170 years, little was known of the inhabitants until the late 19th century.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1546

    Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea .

    Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea because the islanders resemble the people of Guinea in Africa.

  2. 1873

    Port Moresby

    Port Moresby is named after one of several English explorers to lay claim to the island for Great Britain.

  3. 1906

    Control of British New Guinea transferred.

    Control of British New Guinea transferred to the newly independent Commonwealth of Australia and renamed Territory of Papua.

  4. 1914

    Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during World War I.

    Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during World War I.

  5. 1921

    After the war the League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea.

    After the war the League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea. This new Mandated Territory of New Guinea is governed totally separately from the Territory of Papua.

  6. 1971

    Renamed Papua New Guinea.

    Renamed Papua New Guinea.

  7. 1975

    Attains full independence from Australia. Sir Michael Somare becomes PM.

    Attains full independence from Australia. Sir Michael Somare becomes PM.

View full timeline (11 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • Papua New Guinea gained full independence from Australia in September 1975.

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Geography and Environment

Papua New Guinea lies in the southwest Pacific, just south of the equator and about 100 miles northeast of Australia. The largest of the Pacific Island nations, it includes the eastern half of the island of New Guinea which it shares with Indonesia and numerous offshore islands, the largest of which are New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, and Manus. Their combined surface area is 286,248 square miles. The main island comprises 85% of Papua New Guinea’s total land area. A complex system of mountains extends from the eastern end of the islands to the western boundary with the Indonesian province of Papua. Precipitous slopes, knife‑sharp ridges, great outcroppings of mountains rising to heights of almost 15,000 feet, and broad upland valleys at altitudes of 5,000–10,000 feet characterize this area. Most of the terrain is covered by dense jungles of tropical rain forest. Large rivers forming the world’s twelfth largest riverine network flow to the south, north and east; few are navigable except by small boats in the lower reaches. The largest river, the Fly, which begins in the mountains of western Papua, flows over 700 miles, and can be navigated for 500 miles. Between the northern and the central range of mountains lies the Central Depression, which contains the Sepik, Ramu, and Markham River valleys. Lowlands and rolling foothills of varying widths stretch along most of the coasts. Huge tracts of wetlands are common in the poorly‑drained coastal areas. On the southwest littoral, the great delta plain of the Daru coast forms one of the world’s most extensive swamps, exceeding 100,000 square miles. The archipelagic areas of Papua New Guinea include three major islands—New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville—as well as a great variety of smaller, often very isolated island groups. The islands contain many volcanoes, both active and dormant; rich agricultural zones; and considerable mineral wealth. Thousands of coral reefs make the surrounding waters a mecca for marine biologists and scuba divers, while several of the smaller island groups, including the Trobriands and Manus Island, were the sites of classic anthropological studies.
Terrain
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Climate
Papua New Guinea lies wholly within the Tropics, and its climate is monsoonal. The "wet" northwest monsoon season extends from December to March and the "dry" southeast monsoon from May to October. Average annual rainfall is high, ranging from 80 to 100 inches. Although many areas have a wet and dry season, these terms are relative. Even in the so‑called dry season, 2–4 inches of rain per month fall in most areas. Many areas receive more than 200 inches, but a few, like Port Moresby, lie in a rain shadow and receive 40 inches or less annually. Although tropical, temperatures are not extreme. Most lowland, coastal, and island areas have a daily average temperature of 81°F, and seasonal variations are slight. In the highlands, temperature varies with altitude. At 6,000 feet, the average temperature is 61°F; daytime temperatures rise to 90°F and nighttime temperatures fall between 40°F and 50°F. Lowland humidity is uniformly about 80% with very little seasonal variation. Humidity fluctuates more in the highlands where temperatures are lower.
Natural Hazards
active volcanism; situated along the Pacific ""Ring of Fire""; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Current Environmental Issues
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region

  • Melanesian Pidgin

Population

Population
6,064,515
Population in Major Urban Areas
PORT MORESBY (capital) 343,000
Nationality Noun
Papua New Guinean(s)
Ethnic Groups
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Language Note
In Papua New Guinea, languages fall within two basic language stocks: Melanesian and Papuan. English is the official language and is taught in public schools. The language used at home, however, is almost always that of one’s language group. Melanesian Pidgin (Tok Pisin) is the most widely used language. Motu is the most common indigenous language, used primarily in the Papuan region.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
very high
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
PapuaNewGuinea
Full Country Name
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Former Name
Territory of Papua and New Guinea

Government Structure

Government Type
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Legal System
based on English common law
Executive Branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017) head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019); Deputy Prime Minister John ROSSO (since 2023) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is typically appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative Branch
unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003; completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not later than June 2007 election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 18%, URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%; seats by party - National Alliance 19, URP 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, PANGU 6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; as of January 2006 - National Alliance 25, URP 10, PNGP 9, PPP 9, PANGU 6, PAP 12, PLP 4, others 34 note: association with political parties is fluid (2005)
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
16-Sep-75
Independence
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Capital City

Capital Name
Port Moresby
Capital - geographic coordinate
9 27 S, 147 11 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11)

named in 1873 by Captain John MORESBY (1830-1922) in honor of his father, British Admiral Sir Fairfax MORESBY (1786-1877)

Military

Branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. EmbassyPort Moresby

Douglas Street, adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, P.O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, NCD 121, Papua New Guinea.

Telephone: 675 321-1455

After-hours duty-officer telephone: 675 7200-9439

E-mail: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov

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Economy

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, including mineral and petroleum deposits, forests, fisheries, and agricultural land, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain, the high cost of developing infrastructure, land tenure issues, and a complex regulatory environment. The economy is dualistic, with a formal corporate sector dominated by extractive industries and a large informal sector where roughly 80% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. The minerals and energy sector, including liquefied natural gas, gold, copper, nickel, and oil, accounts for the majority of export earnings and government revenue, with the PNG LNG project operated by ExxonMobil representing one of the country's largest sources of income since production began in 2014.

Economic growth has been uneven, with the country facing persistent fiscal deficits, foreign exchange shortages, high public debt, and inflationary pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic, falling commodity prices, and disruptions in the resource sector contributed to a contraction in 2020, though growth has since resumed, supported by recovering commodity prices and renewed activity in agriculture and extractive industries. Prime Minister James Marape, who took office in 2019 and was reelected in 2022, has pursued a "Take Back PNG" agenda aimed at securing greater national benefit from resource projects, renegotiating mining and gas agreements, and diversifying the economy through agriculture, tourism, and downstream processing.

Key challenges include curbing inflation, easing foreign currency shortages, improving infrastructure and law and order, combating corruption, expanding access to electricity and basic services, and managing relations with major partners such as Australia, China, the United States, and Japan. Negotiations around the development of the Papua LNG project and the future of the Porgera gold mine remain central to the country's medium-term economic outlook.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
GDP — official exchange rate
$3,924,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
2.9%
Gini Index
50.9

Banknotes

Papua New Guinea Money - Front
Papua New Guinea Money - Front
Papua New Guinea Money - Back
Papua New Guinea Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$1,354,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP)
47.1%
External Debt
$1,978,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
20.4%
Current Account Balance
$113,000,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$663,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 85%
Household Income — highest 10%
40.5%
Industries
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism
Agriculture Products
coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork
Export Commodities
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Export Partners
Australia 24.2%, Japan 9.4%, China 5.4%
Import Commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Import Partners
Australia 49.2%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.3%

Energy

Oil Production
50,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
18,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
170,000,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
140,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
140,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
345,500,000,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available although combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to roughly 40 per 100 persons international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service
Internet Country Code
.pg

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

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Climate Overview

Papua New Guinea lies wholly within the Tropics, and its climate is monsoonal. The "wet" northwest monsoon season extends from December to March and the "dry" southeast monsoon from May to October. Average annual rainfall is high, ranging from 80 to 100 inches. Although many areas have a wet and dry season, these terms are relative. Even in the so‑called dry season, 2–4 inches of rain per month fall in most areas. Many areas receive more than 200 inches, but a few, like Port Moresby, lie in a rain shadow and receive 40 inches or less annually.

Although tropical, temperatures are not extreme. Most lowland, coastal, and island areas have a daily average temperature of 81°F, and seasonal variations are slight. In the highlands, temperature varies with altitude. At 6,000 feet, the average temperature is 61°F; daytime temperatures rise to 90°F and nighttime temperatures fall between 40°F and 50°F. Lowland humidity is uniformly about 80% with very little seasonal variation. Humidity fluctuates more in the highlands where temperatures are lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Papua New Guinea?
The population of Papua New Guinea is approximately 6.1M.
How do people greet each other in Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guineans greet by shaking hands, though customs vary by area and language group. A nod and a smile are enough when passing a stranger. Do: Shake hands when greeting Nod and smile when passing a stranger Use the appropriate title with a full name for important officials Use first names in most casual cases
What are the dining customs in Papua New Guinea?
People typically eat two large meals with snacking throughout the day, usually sitting on the ground or floor, using a spoon or their hands. Do: Use a spoon, the most common utensil Sit on the ground or floor to eat (tables may be used in urban areas) Don't: Don't ask for second helpings, as it can imply the host did not provide adequately Staple foods include kaukau (sweet potato) in the Highlands and saksak (sago palm extract) on the coast and lowlands Taro, bananas, and yams are common; beer is popular as a status drink among men
What should I know about social etiquette in Papua New Guinea?
Visiting is a big part of daily life and is welcomed whether planned or impromptu, and people are event-oriented rather than time-oriented. Do: Welcome and enjoy informal, often lengthy visits Share food, tobacco, or betel nut and discuss the day's news when visiting Meetings and gatherings may not start on time Family and clan loyalty is strong, with an obligation to share income and possessions
How should I dress in Papua New Guinea?
Western-style clothing is most common, with traditional attire limited to extremely remote areas. Men wear shorts or pants; a shirt is optional when hot or doing physical labor Both men and women often wear laplap (a wraparound sarong)
Which gestures matter in Papua New Guinea?
Gestures with the head, eyes, and eyebrows are important to communication, and some gestures carry strong meanings. Don't: Don't stare at a person of the opposite sex, as it is very offensive Don't hold hands with a member of the opposite sex in public Avoid the thumbs-up sign, which some consider offensive Men holding hands, and women holding hands, is a sign of friendship A short hiss and sideways motion of the head indicates disgust or derision
What is family life like in Papua New Guinea?
The extended family is the basis of support, sharing food, wealth, and work, with a great deal of obligation and duty. A child may refer to having more than one mother or father and many siblings Infertile parents or those who lost a child are often given a child by relatives Most family structures are patriarchal, though some societies are matriarchal Men usually handle construction; women cook, care for children, animals, and the garden
What do people do for fun in Papua New Guinea?
Soccer, rugby, and cricket are popular sports, while traditional recreation involves storytelling, dance, and song. Electricity is not available everywhere, so television is a luxury
What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?
Port Moresby is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. Situated on the southeastern coast of the main island, it serves as the nation's political, economic, and administrative hub. The city grew in prominence during the period of Australian administration and today houses the national parliament, major government institutions, and the country's principal international airport, making it the primary gateway for visitors and commerce.
Where is Papua New Guinea located?
Papua New Guinea lies in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea — the second largest island in the world — along with numerous smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It sits just north of Australia, to the east of Indonesia, and south of the equator. The country is part of the broader Melanesian cultural region and straddles the boundary between Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
What countries border Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea shares a single land border with Indonesia to the west, along the island of New Guinea. The country's remaining boundaries are maritime: the Coral Sea lies to the south and east, the Solomon Sea to the east, and the Bismarck Sea to the north. The Torres Strait separates the nation from Australia to the south, with the two countries connected by close historical, economic, and diplomatic ties.
What religion is practiced in Papua New Guinea?
Indigenous beliefs constitute the largest religious category, observed by approximately 34 percent of the population. Roman Catholicism accounts for roughly 22 percent, reflecting the significant influence of European missionary activity from the colonial era, while Lutheranism represents around 16 percent, a legacy of German missionary work in the north. In practice, many Papua New Guineans blend Christian doctrine with traditional animist and ancestral belief systems that remain deeply embedded in community life.
What is the currency of Papua New Guinea?
The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Papua New Guinean Kina, with the ISO code PGK. The kina was introduced at independence in 1975, replacing the Australian dollar that had been in use during the period of Australian administration. The name "kina" derives from a Kuanua word for the gold-lipped pearl shell, which historically served as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth in many traditional Papua New Guinean societies.
What languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea?
Melanesian Pidgin, also known as Tok Pisin, functions as the primary lingua franca across the country and is the most widely understood language in daily life. English is an official language but is spoken fluently by only about 1 to 2 percent of the population, largely in government and formal education contexts. Hiri Motu is spoken in the Papua region. Beyond these, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 distinct indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth.
What is Papua New Guinea known for?
Papua New Guinea is renowned for its extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages and hundreds of distinct tribal traditions. The annual Goroka Show and Mount Hagen Cultural Show draw international attention for their spectacular displays of traditional sing-sing dancing, elaborate body paint, and ceremonial dress. The country is also a major exporter of liquefied natural gas, gold, and copper, and its rainforests and coral reefs — including those of Milne Bay — are considered among the richest in biodiversity in the world.
What is the history of Papua New Guinea's independence?
Papua New Guinea achieved full independence on 16 September 1975, having been administered by Australia for much of the twentieth century. The eastern half of New Guinea was originally divided between Germany in the north and Britain in the south in 1885; Britain transferred its portion to Australia in 1902, and Australia occupied the German north during World War I. Following independence, the nation faced a significant internal crisis when a secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville lasted nine years and claimed approximately 20,000 lives before concluding in 1997.

Last reviewed 2026

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