e(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 58.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.46 years

male: 61.39 years

female: 65.64 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.22% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,400 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 450 (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s)

adjective: Papua New Guinean

Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,
Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,
Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant
10%, indigenous beliefs 34%

Languages: English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu
spoken in Papua region

note: 715 indigenous languages

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 72.2%

male: 81%

female: 62.7% (1995 est.)

Papua New Guinea Government

Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Papua
New Guinea

conventional short form: Papua New Guinea

former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea

abbreviation: PNG

Government type: constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy

Capital: Port Moresby

Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central,
Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf,
Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland,
Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands,
West New Britain

Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN
trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution: 16 September 1975

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952), represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since
13 November 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA (since NA August
1999); Deputy Prime Minister Michael OGIO (since 3 November 2000)

cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor
general on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch