Papua New Guinea Internet Users
Individuals using the Internet IT.NET.USER.ZS
Papua New Guinea's internet users was 26.09% in 2025, ranked 174th globally. This represents a 8.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's internet users stood at 26.09% in 2025, a rise of +2.02% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 26.09% by 2025. Papua New Guinea ranked 174th globally.
Papua New Guinea has experienced a slow but steady growth in internet users over the past three decades. Notably, the country's internet user base has expanded from zero in 1990 to 26.09 users per 100 people in 2025, with Madagascar ranking closely at 26.35. This represents a significant improvement in connectivity, although Papua New Guinea still lags behind many of its regional peers. The country's internet user base peaked in 2025, marking the end of a sustained period of growth that began around 2000. Notwithstanding this progress, Papua New Guinea's internet penetration remains low, with a long way to go before it catches up with other countries in the region. If the country can address its infrastructure challenges and invest in digital literacy programs, it may be able to accelerate its internet growth and improve its global ranking.
Data & projection
| Year | Internet Users | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 26.84% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 26.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 26.09% | +2.02% | #174 |
| 2023 | 24.07% | +0.34% | #169 |
| 2022 | 23.73% | +0.49% | #168 |
| 2021 | 23.24% | −1.15% | #166 |
| 2020 | 24.40% | +4.42% | #162 |
| 2019 | 19.98% | +8.77% | #166 |
| 2017 | 11.21% | +1.61% | #189 |
| 2016 | 9.60% | +1.70% | #187 |
| 2015 | 7.90% | +1.40% | #179 |
| 2014 | 6.50% | +1.40% | #179 |
| 2013 | 5.10% | +1.60% | #176 |
| 2012 | 3.50% | +1.50% | #185 |
| 2011 | 2.00% | +0.72% | #192 |
| 2010 | 1.28% | −0.33% | #190 |
| 2009 | 1.61% | +0.46% | #186 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw internet users improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's internet users was 26.09% in 2025. Ranked 174th globally. This represents a 8.4% increase from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's internet users peaked at 26.09% in 2025.
The lowest internet users in Papua New Guinea was 0.00% in 1990.
Papua New Guinea ranks 174th globally in internet users as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.NET.USER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's internet users is projected to reach 26.09% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The internet users of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 26.09%. This ranks 174th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_internet-users,
title = {Papua New Guinea Internet Users},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/internet-users/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}