Papua New Guinea Country Report
Papua New Guinea’s political climate is fluid, with frequent changes in leadership and coalition governments, and elections are often marred by violence and allegations of fraud. Bougainville’s separatist conflict is largely over, but violence is still possible in connection with an independence referendum planned for 2019. Other regions of the country are similarly prone to violence, particularly in the highlands and in the Hela and Enga regions. Interregional violence and instability continue along the porous border with Indonesia, with cross-border rebels fighting for independence from Indonesia’s Papua province.
Crime is rampant throughout the country and poses a serious threat to foreign tourists. Petty theft is the most common, but violent crime is also common, particularly in urban areas such as Port Moresby, Ray, and Mount Hagen. Carjackings, rapes, and violent robberies are relatively common in poor areas of the country’s major urban centers, and attackers are often armed with firearms and knives. Some roads leading into and out of Port Moresby and other city centers are particularly dangerous, with car thefts and vehicle attacks occurring regularly.
Protests began regularly over various socio-economic, environmental, and political issues and could quickly turn violent, with riots and looting occurring frequently in informal settlements on the outskirts of urban centers. Riots in remote areas linked to political, social, and labor issues can be particularly violent and can have long-term effects on travel and activity in that area. Industrial action is also common and may lead to service interruptions.
Corruption is a serious concern in government and law enforcement, and travelers can be asked for favors or fines for unspecified violations. Road travel, especially outside major urban centers, can be dangerous due to poor road maintenance and erratic driving by some local road users. Road accidents happen frequently and this country has a relatively high death rate due to road traffic. This risk of overland travel is often exacerbated by environmental factors such as natural disasters, as parts of Papua New Guinea are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Papua New Guinea’s rainy season runs from October to May, during which heavy rains often lead to floods and landslides.
Medical facilities outside Port Moresby are very limited and serious injuries or more complex medical incidents may require evacuation to Australia. The presence of several communicable diseases adds to Papua New Guinea’s high-risk health environment, with malaria, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and tuberculosis all posing risks to domestic travelers. Polio outbreaks also occur regularly, especially in remote areas, and food and waterborne diseases are common.
Last updated: April 12, 2022
Security
Many areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG), including large urban centers, have high levels of violent crime and petty crime, which pose a significant threat to foreign tourists and expatriates in the country. Criminals often show a propensity for violence, and armed robberies are common. Traveling at night is particularly dangerous and carjackings are common across the country, including around Port Moresby. There is also a high risk of sexual assault and foreign tourists have been targeted in the past.
There are potential risks of conflict in Bougainville, with grievances at the heart of decades-old succession disputes potentially reigniting violence. Instability also continues along the porous border with Indonesia, with multiple rebel groups campaigning for the independence of Indonesia’s Papua province across the border.
Protests occur frequently in Papua New Guinea due to various socio-economic, political, and social grievances. Demonstrators and responding security forces often resort to violence, leading to frequent clashes and riots. While most protests in Port Moresby and other major urban centers rarely last more than a few days, local violence can sporadically continue for weeks or even months. Violent riots can cause significant financial damage and disruption of business activities and transportation services. Highlands Hela and Enga provinces are especially prone to group violence and long-term unrest.
Last updated: May 9, 2022
Infrastructure
Land travel in Papua New Guinea can be dangerous due to the country’s poor and mostly unpaved road network, dangerous driving by some local road users, and the threat of armed robbery.
Commercial air travel is widely used for domestic travel, but there are many safety concerns due to extreme weather conditions, harsh terrain, and airport conditions in remote areas of the country.
Power outages occur regularly and can affect large areas of the country, especially areas outside urban centers. Service provision outside urban centers is limited, and communication infrastructure usually extends only to large towns and cities.
Last updated: May 9, 2022
Environment
Papua New Guinea is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country experiences significant seismic activity and has several active volcanoes, mainly in Rabaul, Bougainville, West New Britain, and Manam Island, which can cause evacuations and disrupt air transport when they erupt. Strong earthquakes occur frequently in this country and its surrounding waters. Although many of these earthquakes cause minimal damage and disruption, large local earthquakes can be devastating to remote communities and mining sites.
The country’s rainy season runs from October to May, during which heavy rains regularly cause floods and landslides that can cause significant disruption to land travel. The country can also experience typhoons during the typhoon season from November to April.
Some areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda, Milne Bay, and Rabaul routes, continue to be contaminated by unexploded ordnance.
Last updated: March 16, 2022
Health and Medical
Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea are limited and in some remote areas, it may take several days to receive medical assistance. The country’s main medical center is the Port Moresby General Hospital, which is equipped for routine care and minor injuries. However, more serious injuries or medical negligence may require evacuation to Australia. Malaria is endemic throughout the country, and outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue are also fairly common. Tuberculosis is endemic in Papua New Guinea, and drug-resistant strains have been reported in Western Province and Port Moresby. Medicines are often in short supply and are available outside major city centers.
Last updated: September 8, 2023
Political
Political stability has long been an issue in Papua New Guinea due to its highly diverse ethnic composition, difficult geography, and fluid political allegiances. Outside of major urban centers and resource-rich areas, government control is limited. Maintaining law and order is a challenge for underpowered and poorly trained security forces, with tribal groups often better suited than armed law enforcement officers who work remotely to maintain order and protect mining sites. Corruption is rampant in the country and affects all levels of government and bureaucracy.
Last updated: March 28, 2022
