Papua New Guinea (PNG) is facing serious unemployment crises despite seemingly modest figures
Thousands have been observed lining up for hours under the scorching sun, all for a few advertised positions. The situation is critical, prompting concerns from private sector players, who are urging the government to intervene.
Navin Raju, the CEO of CPL, one of the longest serving and largest retailers in PNG, said that for just 30 job spots in CPL’s Graduate Development Program, they got over 700 applications.
“This alarming number of applicants serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the job market and the desperate plight of our university graduates.
“It is imperative that government officials and other stakeholders take immediate action to address these pressing challenges by establishing a conducive environment for job creation. The current situation is one of desperation and frustration for job seekers, demanding urgent attention”
The employment and unemployment data for PNG reveal a challenging scenario.
While the unemployment rates have been relatively low historically, hovering around an average of 2.59% from 1991 to 2022, recent observations and projections indicate a growing issue.
In 2022, the country sustained an unemployment rate of 2.80%, consistent with the previous year, while projections for 2023 anticipate a slight decrease to 2.58%.
Despite these seemingly modest figures, the stark reality on the ground paints a graver picture.
This dire scenario demands immediate attention and intervention from government officials and stakeholders to create a more conducive environment for job creation.
On a positive note, the employment rate is estimated to be 41.55%, offering jobs to approximately 3.32 million people in the country.
However, the disparity between available jobs and the number of job seekers highlights the urgency to address the rising unemployment concerns.
Photo Credit: Navin Raju, CPL PNG
