Country-specific UIS enrolment, literacy and education-system evidence, updated through November 2025.
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Education in Papua New Guinea
DATAEducation profile
Education profile 路 Reference periods shown
Papua New Guinea's UNESCO profile reports a 121.1% primary gross enrolment ratio, 68.4% lower-secondary ratio and 18.1% upper-secondary ratio for 2023, alongside a 91.9% youth literacy rate for 2022. Papua New Guinea's page is built around three level-specific enrolment ratios and one population literacy measure.
Papua New Guinea education snapshot
Papua New Guinea's page is built around three level-specific enrolment ratios and one population literacy measure.
Primary gross enrolment
121.1%
Lower-secondary gross enrolment
68.4%
Upper-secondary gross enrolment
18.1%
Youth literacy
91.9%
* Reference years and benchmark labels are shown with the figures.
How the education pathway works
The stage map mirrors the school levels used by UIS and then separates later technical and higher-education routes.
| Stage | When | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Primary education | Primary | Primary schooling is the first stage represented by the current comparable enrolment series. |
| Lower-secondary education | Lower secondary | Lower secondary follows primary and carries a separate 2023 participation ratio. |
| Upper-secondary education | Upper secondary | Upper secondary is reported independently in the country profile. |
| TVET and higher education | Post-school | Technical, vocational and tertiary routes continue after secondary schooling. |
Key evidence
The 121.1% primary figure is a gross enrolment ratio, so it can exceed 100% when pupils outside the official age range are enrolled.
| Indicator or rule | Value | Reference | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary gross enrolment | 121.1% | 2023 | ISCED 1 |
| Lower-secondary gross enrolment | 68.4% | 2023 | ISCED 2 |
| Upper-secondary gross enrolment | 18.1% | 2023 | ISCED 3 |
| Youth literacy | 91.9% | 2022 | Population ages 15 to 24 |
* Reference years and benchmark labels are shown with the figures.
How to read the Papua New Guinea evidence
The lower and upper-secondary ratios are not completion rates, and the 2022 literacy value measures an age group rather than a school stage.
The page does not promote older projected enrolment values from planning documents as observed current data.
Frequently asked questions
What primary gross enrolment ratio is reported for Papua New Guinea?
UNESCO-UNEVOC reports 121.1% for 2023.
What lower-secondary gross enrolment ratio is shown?
The 2023 value is 68.4%.
What upper-secondary gross enrolment ratio is reported?
The country profile reports 18.1% for 2023.
What youth literacy rate is shown?
UNESCO reports 91.9% for ages 15 to 24 in 2022.
Sources and methodology
The UNESCO-UNEVOC country profile directly supports all four displayed values.
Methodology: Papua New Guinea indicators remain in their published UIS definitions and reference years.