Reflecting a strong global economic rebound, Papua New Guinea (PNG) reversed its downward economic growth trajectory in 2021. The World Bank estimates that the PNG economy contracted by 3.5 percent in 2020 before returning to positive economic growth of 1 percent in 2021. Domestic agricultural...

This Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) identifies the main constraints and opportunities that Papua New Guinea faces in achieving the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. In line with the World Bank Group's new country engagement model, the findings of the SCD...

The PNG economy has become increasingly concentrated in petroleum-and-gas-related activities since 2014, raising its vulnerability to external shocks, including commodity-price shocks and natural disasters. In recent months, however, the authorities have taken decisive action to promote greater...

Papua New Guinea's (PNG) economy has started recovering from a series of external shocks, but its growth outlook remains fragile due to rising uncertainties. The recovery is being observed in the resource sector, mainly in its extractive segment dominated by liquefied natural gas (LNG), while...

Papua New Guinea's economy continues to face economic headwinds resulting from global and domestic economic uncertainties. PNG's real GDP, despite rebounding to 5.6 percent in 2019, is expected to fall and hover at around 3 percent on average between 2020- and 2022, posing many negative risks,...

The Enterprise Surveys (ES) focus on many aspects of the business environment. These factors can be accommodating or constraining for firms and play an important role in whether an economy's private sector will thrive or not. An accommodating business environment is one that encourages firms to...

In 2020, Papua New Guinea faced three crises: the COVID-19 health emergency, an economic contraction, and political turmoil. The economy contracted by 3.8 percent in 2020 and will rebound by 3.5 percent in 2021. Considering that the economy entered the COVID-19 crisis with a poor record of...

The Special Focus for this issue is on long-term growth, emphasizing the challenges PNG is facing. The chapter identifies the underlying challenges of low and volatile growth in the country and aims at starting a public discussion to better understand the problems and, thus, contribute to...

High commodity prices and the removal of COVID-19 restrictions spurred economic recovery in 2022. The government continued with fiscal consolidation to safeguard macroeconomic stability. Higher commodity prices contributed to higher inflation and stronger external balances. Economic growth is...