HistoryData

Population Pyramid of Papua New Guinea2024

Total population
10.6M
Median age
23.6
Peak year
2100
Peak population
18.6M

Age & sex distribution over time

195019802000202420502100
1950 · 1.5M · median age 18.4
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 1950. Total population 1.5 million, median age 18.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1950
1980 · 3.1M · median age 18
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 1980. Total population 3.1 million, median age 18. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1980
2000 · 5.5M · median age 19.8
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 2000. Total population 5.5 million, median age 19.8. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2000
2024 · 10.6M · median age 23.6
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 2024. Total population 10.6 million, median age 23.6. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2024
2050 · 14.9M · median age 29.5
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 2050. Total population 14.9 million, median age 29.5. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2050
2100 · 18.6M · median age 38.2
Population pyramid: Papua New Guinea, 2100. Total population 18.6 million, median age 38.2. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2100

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Values in thousands. Years after 2024 are medium-variant projections.

Key insights

Demographic profile

Papua New Guinea presently shows an expansive pyramid with a young median age, characteristic of the early demographic transition — fertility remains high while mortality has fallen. The median age in 2024 is 23.6 years.

Age composition

Children under 15 account for 33.5% of the population; people 65 and older account for 3.5%.

Peak population

UN medium-variant projections place Papua New Guinea's peak population in 2100.

Long arc

In 1950 the population was 1.5 million with median age 18.4. Projected 2100 values are 18.6 million and median age 38.2.

More about Papua New Guinea

Population history
Papua New Guinea's population over time
Famous people
Notable figures from Papua New Guinea
GDP history
Economic output of Papua New Guinea
Life expectancy
Longevity in Papua New Guinea
Inflation history
Price changes in Papua New Guinea
Fertility rate
Births per woman in Papua New Guinea
Average height
Adult height in Papua New Guinea by birth year