Leaked report of PNG population an assumption, says Marape

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PRIME Minister James Marape says the country’s population has not surpassed 17 million as claimed by a leaked report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA).
He described it as “an assumption”.
Marape said: “I am not in a position to give the exact population.
“From estimates at the National Statistical Office, we think it should be between nine million and 11 million.
“We have put money aside for national census to be conducted in 2023 and 2024.”
Funded by the Australian government, the report used satellite modelling, housing data and household surveys to draw the result, which eclipses the Government’s current estimate of 9.4 million.
It also claimed that the new population forecast would, if accurate, nearly halve the country’s per capita income from K7,110 to K3,896 a year – putting the country on par with African states such as Sudan and Senegal. UNFPA country representative Mariella Sander told The National yesterday that the figure was prematurely leaked.
She said the actual figures were still under review by the government and expected to be released next year.
“There is no need for the public to panic,” Sander said.
“It was unfortunate that the numbers were put out before it could be finalised and the government could have a chance to review it. But there is certainly no need to panic before all the facts are on the table.”
Attempts made yesterday to get updated population figures from the NSO were unsuccessful.