|
PNG population 6.1mil: UN report
PAPUA New Guinea’s population has reached the 6.1 million mark,
according to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) 2007 State of
the World Population Report released in Port Moresby yesterday.
And Health Minister Sir Peter Barter, when launching the UNFPA report,
warned that this could more than triple to 25 million within the
lifetime of the next generation.
“Our population has risen from two million to six million in the last 60
years and it could rise to 25 million in our children’s lifetime, given
the current annual growth rate of 3%,” Sir Peter said when launching the
UNFPA report at Crowne Plaza.
He said at present, the population was growing faster than we could
provide services; therefore, there must be immediate attention from the
Government and policy makers towards family planning and the
establishment of the national population policy.
The population report presented by UNFPA representative Duah Owusu-Sarfo
stated that PNG had the highest fertility rate in the Oceania region of
3.6%, an urban growth rate of 2.7% and 14% of the total population
living in urban areas.
The report further indicated:
l 49 births per 1,000 women in PNG between the ages of 15 and 19;
l Infant mortality rate of 65 per 1,000 live births;
l Life expectancy of 56 and 57 respectively for men and women; and,
l Maternal birth rate of 300, which is the highest by far in the Pacific
region.
Mr Owusu said the projected population for PNG by 2050 would stand at
10.6 million, given the average population growth rate of 1.8%.
Sir Peter, however, countered that PNG’s population would be over 18
million by 2050.
“Our population is increasing over 3.2% and we can expect by the year
2032, to be 12 million and by 2050, over 18 million,” he said.
“Urban population at present is said to be 14% with 86% in rural areas.
“Given the current rate, the percentage (in urban areas) is expected to
increase to more than 20%.
“The data published shows the percentage to GDP of a mere 3%, and here,
I must disagree as I know current expenditure on health is around 10%
and I have been urging an increase to at least 12%.
“Urban growth is inevitable as a nation develops and PNG is no
exception.”
Sir Peter said people from rural areas who came to towns and cities for
better opportunities found their dreams did not always come true.
“Our governments had not always properly planned and catered for the
increased population,” he said.
“This had resulted in inadequate housing, unemployment, law and order
problems, hunger, street children, increase in HIV/AIDS and STI
(sexually transmitted infection) cases and the list goes on.”
The theme for the 2007 world population report – “Unleashing the
potential of urban growth” – was celebrated by students from Badihagwa
High School, who put on a PowerPoint presentation and a play depicting
the problems of rural-urban drift.
 
|
