Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea ranks 164th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 38.5. This is 61% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places Papua New Guinea in the 15th percentile, 6.8 points below the global average of 45.4.

Papua New Guinea performs best in Resource Efficiency (40th) and Natural Capital (48th), and weakest in Economic Sustainability (183rd) and Intellectual Capital (182nd). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Governance 154th, Social Capital 164th.

Papua New Guinea's GSCI score has declined by 0.3 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is negative (-0.6 points).

Papua New Guinea has a population of 10.6 million, 75% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 23 people per km², 61% below the world average (58). Its GDP is $32.5 billion, 5.7% of the average country ($569.2 billion).

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,076, 78% below the world average of $13,684.

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.