Photo: eGuide Travel · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Papua New Guinea: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Papua New Guinea is placed 150th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 50.73 (2025); Labour Income Share 32.57 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
150th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Papua New Guinea on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
50.73
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Papua New Guinea: 50.73. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Melanesia
- 83.09 Solomon Islands
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 65.77
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.571
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Papua New Guinea: 2.571. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Melanesia
- 1.431 Solomon Islands
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 3.237
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
71.16
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Papua New Guinea: 71.16. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Melanesia
- 14.16 New Caledonia
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 49.96
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea rose from 47.08 in 2000 to 50.73 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2025 50.731 57.720 2024 50.596 57.694 2023 50.585 58.158 2022 50.591 57.688 2021 50.106 56.066 2020 49.523 55.691 2019 49.783 57.871 2018 49.486 56.911 2017 49.117 56.738 2016 48.847 56.845 2015 48.550 56.788 2014 48.271 56.774 2013 48.061 56.229 2012 47.767 56.289 2011 47.462 56.297 2010 47.375 56.212 2009 47.471 56.255 2008 47.504 57.308 2007 47.434 56.933 2006 47.468 56.685 2005 47.461 56.129 2004 47.452 55.465 2003 47.390 55.630 2002 47.304 55.843 2001 47.211 56.018 2000 47.082 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea fell from 39.45 in 2004 to 32.57 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2025 32.57 46.230 2024 32.79 46.060 2023 32.79 45.900 2022 32.39 45.615 2021 31.89 45.433 2020 32.62 47.267 2019 32.51 46.277 2018 33.55 46.187 2017 32.75 46.467 2016 32.36 46.798 2015 32.16 46.876 2014 30.71 47.281 2013 32.83 46.887 2012 32.67 46.231 2011 33.44 45.679 2010 31.53 46.024 2009 32.28 47.071 2008 33.81 45.312 2007 32.10 45.246 2006 32.64 45.670 2005 35.72 46.265 2004 39.45 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea fell from 2.92 in 2000 to 2.571 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2025 2.571 5.08 2024 2.625 5.15 2023 2.649 5.21 2022 2.689 5.34 2021 3.030 6.04 2020 2.903 6.38 2019 2.651 5.36 2018 2.650 5.35 2017 2.580 5.59 2016 2.478 5.90 2015 2.507 6.41 2014 2.540 6.58 2013 2.698 6.71 2012 2.634 6.79 2011 2.620 6.90 2010 2.002 7.04 2009 2.089 6.67 2008 2.168 5.79 2007 2.169 6.00 2006 2.285 6.50 2005 2.385 7.09 2004 2.526 6.80 2003 2.628 6.95 2002 2.756 6.91 2001 2.801 6.96 2000 2.920 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
Papua New GuineaWorld median
Papua New Guinea fell from 74.4 in 2000 to 71.16 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Papua New Guinea World median 2025 71.16 28.67 2024 71.33 29.04 2023 71.48 29.33 2022 71.39 29.67 2021 71.71 30.01 2020 72.23 30.54 2019 72.00 29.98 2018 72.14 30.15 2017 72.29 29.93 2016 72.58 29.91 2015 72.81 30.26 2014 73.12 30.47 2013 73.63 31.14 2012 73.72 31.00 2011 73.73 31.41 2010 73.81 32.37 2009 74.15 32.59 2008 74.13 31.76 2007 74.24 33.47 2006 74.37 34.27 2005 74.55 34.66 2004 74.68 35.51 2003 74.71 35.90 2002 74.73 35.96 2001 74.57 35.27 2000 74.40 35.67
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 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Papua New Guinea and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesia | 34th | 65.77 | 58.2 | 3.237 | 49.96 |
| Papua New Guinea | 150th | 50.73 | 32.57 | 2.571 | 71.16 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Melanesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Solomon Islands=39th
Vanuatu88th
New Caledonia115th
Fiji130th- Papua New Guinea150th
Placed either side on work & labour
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
22 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median4
Statistics on which Papua New Guinea does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0775.0932.07No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 75.09 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.833.78512.83▲ Improved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 3.785 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 167th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1621.9519.16No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 21.95 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 179 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.11.61▲ Improved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 1.1 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Behind the world median10
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.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3650.8253.36No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 50.82 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 114th of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.920.545.9No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 20.5 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2307,21425,230No real change since 2010
Papua New Guinea: 7,214 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 151 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88537.184.885No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 37.18 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.166.1322.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 6.13 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 149th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38413,13947,384No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 13,139 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 138th of 168 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6652.0761.66▲ Improved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 52.07 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 150th of 182 · derived.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 98098No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 0 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8478.6731.84No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 78.67 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 17th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3836.8614.38Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 36.86 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 41st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8940.8438.89Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 40.84 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 72nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5155.2759.51Moved since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 55.27 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 104th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
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.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.013.06915.01No earlier reading
Papua New Guinea: 3.069 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 125th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.887.87118.88No real change since 2015
Papua New Guinea: 7.871 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 171st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Papua New Guinea
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker (last 2024), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2022), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2022). 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
Work & Labour among Papua New Guinea’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Papua New Guinea’s 10th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Papua New Guinea can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
Australia=4th4/4 keysHighest in Melanesia
Solomon Islands=39th4/4 keysThis page
Papua New Guinea150th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
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.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Papua New Guinea on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Papua New Guinea is placed 150th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Papua New Guinea?
50.73 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Papua New Guinea?
32.57 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Papua New Guinea compare with Indonesia on work & labour?
Indonesia is placed 34th of 182, and Papua New Guinea 150th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Indonesia 65.77, Papua New Guinea 50.73; Labour Income Share: Indonesia 58.2, Papua New Guinea 32.57; Unemployment Rate: Indonesia 3.237, Papua New Guinea 2.571; Vulnerable Employment: Indonesia 49.96, Papua New Guinea 71.16.
How have Papua New Guinea’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 47.08 in 2000 to 50.73 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 39.45 in 2004 to 32.57 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 2.92 in 2000 to 2.571 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 74.4 in 2000 to 71.16 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Papua New Guinea?
No current reading is published for Papua New Guinea on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 22 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Papua New Guinea: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/papua-new-guinea/work