Port Moresby Population 2024

Port Moresby's 2024 population is now estimated at 420,419In 1950, the population of Port Moresby was 15,700Port Moresby has grown by 10,588 in the last year, which represents a 2.58% annual change.These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Port Moresby, which typically includes Port Moresby's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

Port Moresby is a city located in Papua New Guinea. The city, which is also known as Moresby or Pom City, is the one of the largest in the South Pacific. It is an important center of trade, and in recent years has seen significant population growth. According to the most recent census, the population of the city is just over 400,000 people.

City Size and Population Density

The city of Port Moresby covers a surface area of 240 kilometers squared (90 square miles). This gives a rough population density of 1,500 residents per square kilometer (3,900 people living per square mile).

Port Moresby Demographics

There are a variety of ethnic groups that call Port Moresby home. These groups include Papuans, Negritos, Micronesians, Melanesians, and Polynesians.

The primary religion of the area is Protestant, making up approximately 70% of the population. This is broken down across groups including Evangelical Lutherans, United Church, Pentecostal, Anglican, Baptists, and more.

The languages of Tok Pisin, English and Hiri Motu are spoken in Port Moresby. There are a large group of children through age 14, as well as a large group of people in the 25 to 54 demographics.

Port Moresby History

Since its early days, Port Moresby has always been a spot designated for trade. The Motuan people would trade sago and pots for canoe logs and food.

John Moresby was the first European to arrive at Port Moresby. In the late 1800s, he claimed the land for the British. Later, Queensland tried to annex the southeastern corner of New Guinea Island, but this was not approved by the British. A protectorate over Papua as British New Guinea was established a few years later.

In the early 1900s, the Papua Act transferred Papua and Port Moresby to Australians. It was during this time that the city began to grow. Port facilities were improved, grocery stores and butcher shops were opened, and electricity was brought to the city.

During the 1940s, the city also became an important area for Allied bases during World War II. It was also during the 1940s that the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was combined and Port Moresby was named as capital.

It was during the 1970s that Papua New Guinea gained its independence. Government buildings, businesses, and cultural buildings were built as a result. Once the city gained its independence, the population grew significantly, climbing from 120,000 in 1980 to almost 200,000 during the 1990s.

Port Moresby Population Growth

In recent years, Port Moresby has seen impressive growth. Between 2000 and 2011, the city had an annual growth rate of 2.1%. Today, the growth rate averages about 1.78%, bringing steady growth to the city through the years ahead.

Growth Rate
2.58%

Port Moresby Population 2024

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Growth
195015,7000%0
195116,6996.36%999
195217,7646.38%1,065
195318,8936.36%1,129
195420,0956.36%1,202
195521,3756.37%1,280
195622,7376.37%1,362
195724,1826.36%1,445
195825,7226.37%1,540
195927,3596.36%1,637
196029,1036.37%1,744
196130,9536.36%1,850
196232,9236.36%1,970
196335,0186.36%2,095
196437,2516.38%2,233
196539,6186.35%2,367
196642,1476.38%2,529
196747,46612.62%5,319
196853,46512.64%5,999
196960,20312.6%6,738
197067,80112.62%7,598
197176,35812.62%8,557
197280,5355.47%4,177
197384,8355.34%4,300
197489,3725.35%4,537
197594,1515.35%4,779
197699,1925.35%5,041
1977104,4895.34%5,297
1978110,0765.35%5,587
1979115,9635.35%5,887
1980122,1725.35%6,209
1981128,1724.91%6,000
1982134,3144.79%6,142
1983140,7504.79%6,436
1984147,5044.8%6,754
1985154,5634.79%7,059
1986161,9694.79%7,406
1987169,7314.79%7,762
1988177,8764.8%8,145
1989186,3884.79%8,512
1990195,3194.79%8,931
1991200,6202.71%5,301
1992205,9572.66%5,337
1993211,4192.65%5,462
1994217,0352.66%5,616
1995222,8002.66%5,765
1996228,7262.66%5,926
1997234,7932.65%6,067
1998241,0292.66%6,236
1999247,4312.66%6,402
2000254,0122.66%6,581
2001259,2742.07%5,262
2002264,6202.06%5,346
2003270,0752.06%5,455
2004275,6512.06%5,576
2005281,3262.06%5,675
2006287,1262.06%5,800
2007293,0452.06%5,919
2008299,0952.06%6,050
2009305,2522.06%6,157
2010311,5452.06%6,293
2011317,9682.06%6,423
2012324,5322.06%6,564
2013331,2322.06%6,700
2014338,0692.06%6,837
2015345,0482.06%6,979
2016352,1712.06%7,123
2017359,4412.06%7,270
2018366,8622.06%7,421
2019374,5172.09%7,655
2020382,5162.14%7,999
2021390,9862.21%8,470
2022400,0512.32%9,065
2023409,8312.44%9,780
2024420,4192.58%10,588
2025431,9032.73%11,484
2026444,3282.88%12,425
2027457,7303.02%13,402
2028472,1213.14%14,391
2029487,5393.27%15,418
2030503,9853.37%16,446
2031521,4803.47%17,495
2032540,0393.56%18,559
2033559,7363.65%19,697
2034580,5803.72%20,844
2035602,6183.8%22,038
showing: 86 rows

Port Moresby Population Data (Urban Area)

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