Population in largest city in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea: Population in largest city was 431,903 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Papua New Guinea, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in Papua New Guinea stood at 431,903. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
The figure is up 2.7% on the previous year and up 25.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Papua New Guinea peaked at 431,903 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 29,103, in 1960.
Papua New Guinea ranks 152nd of 153 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 40,815 | 29,103 | 60,203 | 10 |
| 1970s | 92,277 | 67,801 | 115,963 | 10 |
| 1980s | 152,344 | 122,172 | 186,388 | 10 |
| 1990s | 220,513 | 195,319 | 247,431 | 10 |
| 2000s | 278,948 | 254,012 | 305,252 | 10 |
| 2010s | 342,138 | 311,545 | 374,517 | 10 |
| 2020s | 405,951 | 382,516 | 431,903 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Papua New Guinea
More urban development data for Papua New Guinea
- Population in the largest city 25.4% (2025)
- Population density 22.94 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 14.11 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Papua New Guinea?
- Population in largest city in Papua New Guinea was 431,903 in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The highest recorded value was 431,903 in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The lowest recorded value was 29,103 in 1960.
- How does Papua New Guinea rank for population in largest city?
- Papua New Guinea ranks 152nd out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Papua New Guinea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Papua New Guinea data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.