Papua New Guinea’s high public debt signals alarm bells of concern

Amidst the recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a caution needs to be undertaken by Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) regarding increasing public debt. It is important to note that public debt or commonly referred to as sovereign debt is essentially how much a country owes to lenders. Predominantly, public debt is derived from governments insatiable appetite to spend more than they receive from tax revenues over time.

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Rural-urban migration: Why do they migrate?

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) population comprises mainly rural inhabitants living on subsistence and semi-subsistence sources of livelihood. The migration from rural areas to urban centres is the outcome of a set of complex factors. They include a lack of (a) rural development opportunities, (b) provision and maintenance of services, and (c) employment.

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Why does Census Data matters in PNG?

Census data are the lifeblood of decision-making. The data is important for designing, monitoring, and evaluation of policies for sustainable development. Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) development agenda such as the forthcoming Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), PNG Vision 2050, and Development Strategic Plan 2030 need census data for proper implementation of development programs and intervents. Without official census data and information, there is a risk that the country’s sustainable development strategies may not be achieved.

The Census data, broken down at the lowest geographic level, is the foundation for any strategic plan that PNG wants to undertake. It is the root of decision-making for redistricting, community development planning and the development of the MTDP IV and SDGs as follows:

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