Papua New Guinea has a population of around 10 million people, the vast majority of whom live in rural areas. It is one of the most ethnically fragmented countries in the world: over 800 distinct language groups exist, each typically associated with its own clan structure, territory, and traditions. Many communities have historically had little contact with their neighbours, which explains both the extraordinary linguistic diversity and the persistence of inter-clan conflict.
The population is predominantly Melanesian, with Papuan, Micronesian, and Polynesian minorities in different parts of the country. The Highlands are the most densely populated region, with large groups including the Huli, Enga, and Melpa. The Huli of the Tari area are particularly well known for their elaborate wigs — made from their own hair — and dramatic face paint.
Christianity is widespread (more than 90% of the population identifies as Christian, across Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and evangelical denominations), but it sits alongside rather than having replaced traditional animist beliefs and practices. Spirit houses, initiation ceremonies, and beliefs about magic and sorcery remain important in many communities.
The majority of Papua New Guineans are subsistence farmers. Coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and copra are the main cash crops. The country also has significant mineral wealth — gold, copper, and liquefied natural gas — but revenues have not translated into broad improvements in living standards. Urban migrants, many living in settlements on the edges of Port Moresby and Lae, face a very different set of pressures from their rural counterparts.
The concept of wantok — literally "one talk," meaning people who speak the same language — is fundamental to social life. Obligations to your wantok group govern employment, housing, and sharing of resources. It can be a tremendous support network; it also creates difficulties in building impartial public institutions.