Photo: eGuide Travel · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Papua New Guinea: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Papua New Guinea is placed 147th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 4,456 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 28.21 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
147th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 4,456GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 28.21Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- -2.137Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- —Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Papua New Guinea on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
4,456
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Papua New Guinea: 4,456. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Melanesia
- 13,961 Fiji
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 15,091
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Papua New Guinea’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
28.21
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Papua New Guinea: 28.21. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Melanesia
- 53.8 Fiji
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 19.99
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-2.137
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 139th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Papua New Guinea: -2.137. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Melanesia
- -2.137 Papua New Guinea
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 0.223
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no 2024 figure for Papua New Guinea, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 56.33
02Over time
Which way Papua New Guinea is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea rose from 3,327 in 2000 to 4,456 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2025 4,456 17,265 2024 4,293 18,108 2023 4,206 17,686 2022 4,126 16,933 2021 3,977 16,260 2020 4,078 15,631 2019 4,302 16,761 2018 4,212 16,349 2017 4,323 16,129 2016 4,276 15,512 2015 4,155 14,857 2014 3,999 14,475 2013 3,616 14,681 2012 3,578 14,631 2011 3,515 13,916 2010 3,580 14,101 2009 3,350 13,655 2008 3,234 14,030 2007 3,346 13,755 2006 3,203 12,983 2005 3,137 12,023 2004 3,047 11,608 2003 3,065 11,183 2002 3,101 11,144 2001 3,212 10,907 2000 3,327 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea fell from -1.691 in 2000 to -2.137 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2024 -2.137 0.1310 2023 -1.637 0.0710 2022 -1.651 0.0580 2021 -1.889 0.0010 2020 -1.842 0.0470 2019 -1.514 0.0300 2018 -2.398 -0.0150 2017 -2.681 0.0080 2016 -2.576 -0.0660 2015 -2.559 -0.0600 2014 -2.227 -0.0190 2013 -1.995 0.0140 2012 -1.052 0.0060 2011 -1.426 -0.0140 2010 -2.235 -0.0020 2009 -2.383 0.0990 2008 -2.517 0.0700 2007 -2.677 -0.0080 2006 -2.560 0.0740 2005 -2.589 0.0510 2004 -1.536 0.0505 2003 -1.379 0.0450 2002 -1.293 0.0100 2001 -1.753 0.0470 2000 -1.691 0.0160
03In context
Papua New Guinea beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Papua New Guinea and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesia | =110th | 15,091 | 19.99 | 0.223 | 56.33 |
| Papua New Guinea | 147th | 4,456 | 28.21 | -2.137 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Melanesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Fiji56th
Solomon Islands=125th
Vanuatu=132nd- Papua New Guinea147th
New Caledonianot placed
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Papua New Guinea in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Papua New Guinea is ahead of the world, and behind
34 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Papua New Guinea does better than the middle country measured.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.438.3910.4No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 38.39 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3963.4452.39No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 63.44 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 20th of 169 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3965.6383.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 5.638 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 37th of 186 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9441.8943.94▲ Improved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 41.89 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 59th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06107.71107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Papua New Guinea: 107.71 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 96th of 194 · derived.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Papua New Guinea does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8142.641.81No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 42.6 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 89th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2150.3756.21No real change since 2016
Papua New Guinea: 50.37 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 87th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48633,22346,486▼ Worsened since 2010
Papua New Guinea: 33,223 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 86th of 150 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.92.72.9▲ Improved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 2.7 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 79th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4218.2725.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 18.27 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 103rd of 170 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2399.03106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Papua New Guinea: 99.03 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 134th of 195 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1927.9840.19▲ Improved since 2021
Papua New Guinea: 27.98 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 135th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08100.55106.08▼ Worsened since 2012
Papua New Guinea: 100.55 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 136th of 195 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.614-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Papua New Guinea: -0.614 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 147th of 209 · derived.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4512.2231.451▲ Improved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 2.223 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 31st of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.2190.485▼ Worsened since 2013
Papua New Guinea: 0.219 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 170 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.673146.67▼ Worsened since 2012
Papua New Guinea: 31 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 164th of 195 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9533.16701.95No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 33.16 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 130th of 145 · derived.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9343.3412.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 43.34 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 6th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4740.2157.474▼ Worsened since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 0.215 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 116th of 118 · derived.
No better end14
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1799.0667.17Moved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 99.06 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23158.23103.23Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 158.23 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70827.391.708Moved since 2011
Papua New Guinea: 27.39 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 13th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 243024Moved since 2016
Papua New Guinea: 30 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3066.8693.306Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 6.869 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.3660.306Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 0.366 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.73143.35275.73Moved since 2016
Papua New Guinea: 143.35 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2403012,240No real change since 2022
Papua New Guinea: 301 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8515.5421.85Moved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 15.54 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95268.01657.95Moved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 268.01 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Creative Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 6.1710.5476.171Moved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: 0.547 · world median 6.171 · Creative services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.002 to 63.91.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-1.196-0.225Moved since 2014
Papua New Guinea: -1.196 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.968-3.6161.968Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: -3.616 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6020.1759.602No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 0.175 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
No current reading for Papua New Guinea
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP), Adjusted Net Savings (last 2004), Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic (last 2022), Creative Goods Exports (last 2023), Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2004), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption (last 2004), Gini Index (last 2009), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2009), Global Innovation Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2021), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) (last 2004), Gross Savings (% of GDP) (last 2004), Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Household Consumption (last 2004), ICT Goods Exports (last 2023), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2004), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2009), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2009), Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) (last 2024), Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), New Business Density (last 2020), Palma Ratio (last 2009), Price Level of Household Consumption, Research and Development Spending (last 2016), Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products (last 2021), Total Factor Productivity Level, Trade (% of GDP) (last 2004), Water-Use Efficiency and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Papua New Guinea’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Papua New Guinea’s 11th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability14th of 1863/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade67th of 1773/4 keys
- Peace & Security81st of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties112th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 95th of 1652/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture117th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology142nd of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions142nd of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality139th of 1833/4 keys
- Work & Labour150th of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation147th of 1763/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital164th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing171st of 2002/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge172nd of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 190th of 1933/4 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Papua New Guinea can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
Australia27th4/4 keysHighest in Melanesia
Fiji56th2/4 keysThis page
Papua New Guinea147th3/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Papua New Guinea and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Papua New Guinea on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Papua New Guinea rank on economy & innovation?
Papua New Guinea is placed 147th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit and Economic Complexity Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Papua New Guinea?
4,456 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Papua New Guinea?
28.21 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Papua New Guinea compare with Indonesia on economy & innovation?
Indonesia is placed joint 110th of 176, and Papua New Guinea 147th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Indonesia 15,091, Papua New Guinea 4,456; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Indonesia 19.99, Papua New Guinea 28.21; Economic Complexity Index: Indonesia 0.223, Papua New Guinea -2.137.
How have Papua New Guinea’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 3,327 in 2000 to 4,456 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index fell from -1.691 in 2000 to -2.137 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Papua New Guinea?
No current reading is published for Papua New Guinea on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP), Adjusted Net Savings, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Goods Exports, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), Global Innovation Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP), Gross Savings (% of GDP), Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Household Consumption, ICT Goods Exports, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP), Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), New Business Density, Palma Ratio, Price Level of Household Consumption, Research and Development Spending, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products, Total Factor Productivity Level, Trade (% of GDP), Water-Use Efficiency and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 34 statistics on this page come from 9 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Papua New Guinea’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Papua New Guinea (banner) — eGuide Travel, CC BY 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Papua New Guinea: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/papua-new-guinea/economy