Frequently asked questions

The 2024 National Population Census — Papua New Guinea’s fifth — counted 10,185,363 people. Final figures were released on 30 October 2025. See the census page for results by province.

Yes. Under Part V of the Statistical Services Act 1980 every NSO officer makes a declaration of secrecy and your responses are confidential. Information is used only to produce statistics and is never published in a form that identifies a person, household or business.

The census is compulsory for everyone in Papua New Guinea on census night. For sample surveys, your household is selected scientifically to represent many others, so your participation is important for accurate results. Enumerators carry official NSO identification.

Field positions are advertised under Careers and through provincial administrations ahead of each major collection. Enumerators are usually recruited from their own local area.

The newest figures are on the homepage indicator tiles and under Statistical releases. Each release has commentary, tables and downloadable files. Browse by topic or by series (for example, Consumer Price Index).

Use the Data request form. Describe the indicators, geographic level and time period you need. We acknowledge requests within two working days. Custom tabulations may attract a cost-recovery fee, which we confirm before any work starts.

Anonymised microdata from selected surveys is available to researchers through the Pacific Microdata Library, subject to a data access agreement. Confidential identifying information is never released, in line with the Statistical Services Act.

Cite the release title, the National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea and the release date, for example: “National Statistical Office (2026), Gross Domestic Product 2025, Port Moresby.” Material may be reproduced with acknowledgement; see our terms of use.

Statistics are revised when better source data become available, for example when final customs records or updated administrative data are received. Revisions are explained in the release notes, and corrected releases are clearly labelled.

The Consumer Price Index is published quarterly, GDP annually and International Merchandise Trade annually with quarterly updates. Planned dates are shown in the release calendar.

Most publications are PDF or Excel files. If you need an accessible or alternative format, contact us and we will do our best to help. See our accessibility statement.

Subscribe to our email updates at the bottom of any page, follow NSO on LinkedIn and X, or use the RSS feed.

Current vacancies are listed under Careers with closing dates and application instructions. Applications are addressed to the National Statistician unless the notice says otherwise.

Tenders and requests for quotation are advertised under Procurement and in the national newspapers, following the Public Finances (Management) Act and National Procurement Commission rules.