Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 52.0% in 2022. ▼ Falling

Latest (2022)
52.0%
World rank
163rd
of 199 countries
All-time high
92.5%
in 1966
All-time low
48.3%
in 2010
Years of data
5
1966–2022

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea, 1966–2022

0204060801001966199420221966: 92.51971: 73.12000: 72.52010: 48.32022: 52

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea is 52.0%, measured in 2022.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea peaked at 92.5% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 48.3%, in 2010.

Papua New Guinea ranks 163rd of 199 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea, year by year

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Papua New Guinea, 1966 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1966 92.5%
1971 73.1% -21.0%
2000 72.5% -0.9%
2010 48.3% -33.3%
2022 52.0% +7.5%

Papua New Guinea compared with similar countries

  • Papua New Guinea's 52.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 58.5%, 89% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • Papua New Guinea's 52.0% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 63.2%, 82% of the median. (34 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 92.5% 92.5% 92.5% 1
1970s 73.1% 73.1% 73.1% 1
2000s 72.5% 72.5% 72.5% 1
2010s 48.3% 48.3% 48.3% 1
2020s 52.0% 52.0% 52.0% 1

Countries ranked near Papua New Guinea

  1. 160 Chad 52.8% compare
  2. 161 American Samoa 52.6% compare
  3. 162 Bosnia and Herzegovina 52.4% compare
  4. 164 North Macedonia 51.9% compare
  5. 165 Tonga 51.4% compare
  6. 166 Romania 51.4% compare

See the full ranking of 232 places →

More work & labour data for Papua New Guinea

All data for Papua New Guinea →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea?
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea was 52.0% in 2022, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Papua New Guinea?
The highest recorded value was 92.5% in 1966.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Papua New Guinea?
The lowest recorded value was 48.3% in 2010.
How does Papua New Guinea rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
Papua New Guinea ranks 163rd out of 199 countries with data for 2022.
Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Papua New Guinea?
Over the last ten years it is up 7.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Papua New Guinea data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Papua New Guinea. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-total-percent-of-total-population-ages-15-national-estimate/papua-new-guinea/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
232 places, 5,713 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.