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