Papua New Guinea Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue was 17.04% in 2025, ranked 60th globally. This represents a 6.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue stood at 17.04% in 2025, a rise of +1.10% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 17.04% by 2025. Papua New Guinea ranked 60th globally.
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two and a half decades, with a notable decline from its all-time peak of 24.70 in 2001 to a trough of 11.88 in 2020. Since then, the country has seen a moderate recovery, with tax revenue reaching 17.04 in 2025, still ranking 60th globally. This trajectory is comparable to that of its peer country, Latvia, which also experienced a decline before stabilizing around its current rank of 57th. The 2001 peak occurred during a period of economic growth, which was largely driven by the country's natural resource sector. A continuation of this trend could be expected if the extractive industries continue to drive economic growth, but a shift towards diversification and increased investment in human capital could alter the trajectory and lead to more sustainable revenue growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 17.91% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 17.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 17.04% | +1.10% | #60 |
| 2023 | 15.93% | +1.16% | #41 |
| 2022 | 14.77% | +2.62% | #43 |
| 2021 | 12.15% | +0.27% | #32 |
| 2020 | 11.88% | −1.14% | #32 |
| 2019 | 13.02% | −0.17% | #39 |
| 2018 | 13.19% | +0.59% | #47 |
| 2017 | 12.61% | −0.34% | #41 |
| 2016 | 12.95% | −2.28% | #40 |
| 2015 | 15.23% | −2.68% | #66 |
| 2014 | 17.91% | −3.10% | #86 |
| 2002 | 21.01% | −3.68% | #73 |
| 2001 | 24.70% | +5.72% | #80 |
| 2000 | 18.98% | −2.81% | #53 |
| 1999 | 21.79% | +1.31% | #70 |
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 tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue was 17.04% in 2025. Ranked 60th globally. This represents a 6.9% increase from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue peaked at 24.70% in 2001.
The lowest tax revenue in Papua New Guinea was 11.88% in 2020.
Papua New Guinea ranks 60th globally in tax revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's tax revenue is projected to reach 17.04% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tax revenue of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 17.04%. This ranks 60th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_tax-revenue,
title = {Papua New Guinea Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}