The National Statistical Office officially launched the 2011 National Population Census Final Figures in Port Moresby today.
The recent census figures show that the country’s population has increased by more than fifty percent in the last three decades.
Papua New Guinea’s current population stands at 7.3 million.
Census Director Hajily Kele revealed that Morobe is the province with the highest population, while Eastern and Southern Highlands share the title for the most populated provinces.
Present at the official launching were Minister for National Planning and Monitoring and Member for Alotau, Charles Abel, the PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen, and representatives from NGOs.
Surprisingly, the 2011 national census has recorded that the Highlands and Islands regions both have an annual growth rate of 3.3 and 3.1 million respectively; this is higher than the national average annual growth rate of 3.1 million. The figures also show that there are more males than women in the nation.