Australia vs Papua New Guinea: Population Comparison 2025
Extreme neighbors. Australia's controlled immigration vs PNG's rapid growth.
Australia
Papua New Guinea
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Australia
27.0M
Papua New Guinea
10.8M
Youth (0-14)
Australia
17.7%
Papua New Guinea
33.1%
Elderly (65+)
Australia
18.1%
Papua New Guinea
3.6%
Demographic Analysis: Australia vs Papua New Guinea
In 2025, Australia has a population of 27M, while Papua New Guinea has 11M. This represents a difference of 16M, with Australia having 2.5 times the population of the other. Australia ranks #55 globally by population size, while Papua New Guinea ranks #89.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Australia has a median age of 39.3 years, compared to 23.8 years in Papua New Guinea. This 15.5-year difference indicates that Australia has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Australia is 55.7%, while in Papua New Guinea it is 58.1%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: Australia has a sex ratio of 98.50 males per female, while Papua New Guinea has 105.69. Papua New Guinea shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | Australia | Papua New Guinea | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 27M | 11M | 2.5x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #55 | #89 | 34 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | +0.94% | +1.86% | 0.92pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 39.3 years | 23.8 years | 15.5 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 17.7% | 33.1% | 15.5pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 64.2% | 63.3% | 1.0pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 18.1% | 3.6% | 14.5pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 18.9% | 27.4% | 8.6pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 40.5% | 38.4% | 2.2pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 55.7% | 58.1% | 2.4pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 27.5% | 52.4% | 24.9pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 28.2% | 5.7% | 22.5pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 98.5 | 105.7 | 7.2 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.50 children/woman | 3.04 children/woman | 1.54 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 11.5 per 1,000 | 23.0 per 1,000 | 11.5 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 102.3% | 10.8% | 91.5pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | constrictive | expansive | Different types |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Australia and Papua New Guinea for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Australia has more males
Green = Papua New Guinea has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Australia has more females
Orange = Papua New Guinea has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Papua New Guinea has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
16.2M
Australia larger
Growth Since 1950
Australia
+229.9%
Papua New Guinea
+597.3%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.40
Australia : Papua New Guinea
| Metric | Australia | Papua New Guinea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 27.0M | 10.8M | +150.6% |
| Median Age | 39.3 years | 23.8 years | +15.5 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 4.8M 17.7% | 3.6M 33.1% | +33.7% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 17.3M 64.2% | 6.8M 63.3% | +154.4% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 4.9M 18.1% | 386.2K 3.6% | +1163.8% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 55.7 per 100 | 58.1 per 100 | -2.4 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 27.5 per 100 | 52.4 per 100 | -24.9 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 28.2 per 100 | 5.7 per 100 | +22.5 |
| Sex Ratio | 98.5 M/100F | 105.7 M/100F | -7.2 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Expansive | Different |
Total Population
Australia
27.0M
Papua New Guinea
10.8M
Median Age
Australia
39.3 years
Papua New Guinea
23.8 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Australia
4.8M
17.7%
Papua New Guinea
3.6M
33.1%
Working Age (15-64)
Australia
17.3M
64.2%
Papua New Guinea
6.8M
63.3%
Elderly Population (65+)
Australia
4.9M
18.1%
Papua New Guinea
386.2K
3.6%
Total Dependency Ratio
Australia
55.7 per 100
Papua New Guinea
58.1 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Australia
27.5 per 100
Papua New Guinea
52.4 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Australia
28.2 per 100
Papua New Guinea
5.7 per 100
Sex Ratio
Australia
98.5 M/100F
Papua New Guinea
105.7 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Papua New Guinea became the world's most populous country, ending Australia's centuries-long reign