Internet Adoption Statistics in Papua New Guinea (2026)
18.8% of the population in Papua New Guinea used the internet in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 18.6% in 2023 to 18.8% in 2024 (+0.3 percentage points). Papua New Guinea ranks #28 of 28 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #179 of 188 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 18.8% (2024)
- Internet Adoption in Papua New Guinea as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- +0.3 pp (2024)
- Up from 18.6% in 2023 to 18.8% in 2024 (+0.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0% in 1990 to 18.8% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 18.8% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Papua New Guinea.
- Rank in East Asia & Pacific
- #28 of 28 (2024)
- Papua New Guinea ranks 28 of 28 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #179 of 188 (2024)
- Papua New Guinea ranks 179 of 188 countries with data globally.
- East Asia & Pacific average
- 75.2% (2024)
- Papua New Guinea (18.8%) is below the average of 75.2% across the 28 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 21.8% (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 7.7%); not an official figure.
- Internet use in Papua New Guinea (2024)
- 18.8% (2024)
- 18.8% of the population in Papua New Guinea used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 10.6 million (2024)
- Papua New Guinea had a population of 10.6 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18.8% | +0.3 pp |
| 2023 | 18.6% | +0.3 pp |
| 2022 | 18.3% | +1.7 pp |
| 2021 | 16.6% | +1.5 pp |
| 2020 | 15% | +1.4 pp |
| 2019 | 13.6% | +1.3 pp |
| 2018 | 12.4% | +1.1 pp |
| 2017 | 11.2% | +1.6 pp |
| 2016 | 9.6% | +1.7 pp |
| 2015 | 7.9% | +1.4 pp |
| 2014 | 6.5% | +1.4 pp |
| 2013 | 5.1% | +1.6 pp |
| 2012 | 3.5% | +1.5 pp |
| 2011 | 2% | +0.7 pp |
| 2010 | 1.3% | −0.3 pp |
| 2009 | 1.6% | +0.5 pp |
| 2008 | 1.1% | −0.6 pp |
| 2007 | 1.8% | +0.0 pp |
| 2006 | 1.8% | +0.0 pp |
| 2005 | 1.7% | +0.2 pp |
| 2004 | 1.5% | +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 1.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2002 | 1.3% | +0.4 pp |
| 2001 | 0.9% | +0.1 pp |
| 2000 | 0.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 1999 | 0.7% | +0.4 pp |
| 1998 | 0.2% | +0.1 pp |
| 1997 | 0.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 1996 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1990 | 0% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Papua New Guinea used the internet?
18.8% of the population in Papua New Guinea used the internet in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How recent is the internet adoption data for Papua New Guinea?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Papua New Guinea.
Where does the internet adoption data for Papua New Guinea come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS). The latest observation for Papua New Guinea is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has internet adoption in Papua New Guinea changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0% in 1990 to 18.8% in 2024.
How does Papua New Guinea compare with other countries in East Asia & Pacific?
Papua New Guinea ranks 28 of 28 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, with 18.8% versus a regional average of 75.2% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
IT.NET.USER.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .