Papua New Guinea Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Papua New Guinea's services employment was 55.27% in 2025, ranked 78th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's services employment stood at 55.27% in 2025, a rise of +0.44% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 55.23% by 2026. Papua New Guinea ranked 78th globally.
Papua New Guinea's services employment rate has experienced a pronounced decline over the past three decades. At its peak in 2010, the rate reached 66.69, marking the highest level since 1991, when it stood at 63.18. Conversely, the rate plummeted to an all-time low of 53.75 in 2022. As of 2025, the country's services employment rate stands at 55.27, ranking 78th globally. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Papua New Guinea trails behind Serbia, which has a services employment rate of 54.90. The decline in services employment in Papua New Guinea is concerning, as it may indicate a weakening of the country's service-oriented economy. A sustained recovery in the services sector could be driven by investment in infrastructure and human capital, particularly in areas such as tourism and finance. If Papua New Guinea is to reverse its trend and improve its services employment rate, it will need to address the structural challenges hindering the growth of its service sector.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 55.65% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 55.44% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 55.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 55.27% | +0.44% | #78 |
| 2024 | 54.83% | +0.44% | #78 |
| 2023 | 54.39% | +0.64% | #79 |
| 2022 | 53.75% | −1.00% | #78 |
| 2021 | 54.76% | −1.63% | #82 |
| 2020 | 56.39% | −2.43% | #88 |
| 2019 | 58.82% | −0.91% | #93 |
| 2018 | 59.74% | −0.94% | #96 |
| 2017 | 60.68% | −1.05% | #101 |
| 2016 | 61.72% | −0.90% | #103 |
| 2015 | 62.62% | −0.93% | #106 |
| 2014 | 63.55% | −0.99% | #108 |
| 2013 | 64.54% | −0.85% | #117 |
| 2012 | 65.39% | −0.66% | #122 |
| 2011 | 66.05% | −0.63% | #123 |
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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's services employment was 55.27% in 2025. Ranked 78th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's services employment peaked at 66.69% in 2010.
The lowest services employment in Papua New Guinea was 53.75% in 2022.
Papua New Guinea ranks 78th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's services employment is projected to reach 55.23% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 55.27%. This ranks 78th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_services-employment,
title = {Papua New Guinea Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}