Oceania • Updated July 2026

Country Risk Report

Papua New Guinea

Overall Risk Rating

High

Capital

Port Moresby

Languages

Tok Pisin, English and Hiri Motu (official), over 800 local languages

Currency

Papua New Guinean kina (PGK)

Executive Summary

Papua New Guinea is classified as a HIGH risk destination, driven by exceptionally high levels of violent crime and tribal conflict. The major cities of Port Moresby, Lae and Mount Hagen have among the highest crime rates in the world, dominated by armed raskol gangs who commit carjacking, home invasion, armed robbery and sexual assault, and police capacity is very limited outside the capital. In the Highlands, long-standing tribal conflict has escalated with the replacement of traditional weapons by firearms. A massacre in Enga province in February 2024 killed at least 49 people, and armed clashes in the Porgera Valley that intensified from August 2024 spread to Hela, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands, prompting states of emergency. In January 2024, riots and looting in Port Moresby over a pay dispute killed around 25 people. Papua New Guinea also has among the world’s highest rates of gender-based and sexual violence, sorcery-related violence, maritime piracy off its coasts, and significant natural-hazard exposure to earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis, alongside weak healthcare outside Port Moresby. Tribal conflict rarely targets foreigners directly but is deadly and unpredictable. Cover for Papua New Guinea is available on a specialist basis, with the Highlands provinces typically excluded. Port Moresby and coastal centres are manageable with strong precautions and security support, while the Highlands and remote areas require specialist advice.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Moderate	No national conflict, but deadly tribal warfare in the Highlands, increasingly with firearms.
Terrorism	Low	No significant terrorism threat.
Kidnapping	Moderate	Kidnapping for ransom occurs but is less common than other violent crime.
Crime	High	Among the world’s highest crime rates, with armed raskol gangs in the cities.
Civil Unrest	High	Riots, looting and tribal violence can erupt suddenly and overwhelm police.
Health & Medical	High	Care is very limited outside Port Moresby. Serious cases require evacuation.
Internal Travel	High	Carjacking, road ambushes, piracy and terrain make travel hazardous; fly rather than drive.
Digital / Cyber	Low	Card and ATM fraud occur; broader cyber risk is limited.

Essential Precautions

1Treat violent crime as the primary risk, including carjacking, home invasion and armed robbery in the main cities.

2Avoid the Highlands provinces of Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands and much of Western Highlands, given tribal conflict.

3Use security support and vetted transport, and never use public minibuses; avoid walking, especially after dark.

4Avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings, which can turn violent and trigger looting.

5Be aware of maritime piracy off the coasts, particularly in the Bismarck and Solomon seas and Milne Bay.

6Prepare for natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis.

7Guard against sexual violence, which is at epidemic levels; women should take particular care.

8Plan for limited healthcare outside Port Moresby and hold evacuation cover.

Security Situation

High

Papua New Guinea faces exceptionally high violent crime in its cities and deadly tribal conflict in the Highlands, with very limited police capacity and significant natural-hazard exposure. Risk varies by region, and the Highlands should be avoided.

Port Moresby and the Capital District

High

Port Moresby has among the world’s highest crime rates, with armed raskol gangs, carjacking, home invasion and robbery, though some areas are managed with security.

The Highlands (Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands)

High

The Highlands, including Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands, face deadly tribal warfare, massacres and states of emergency, and should be avoided.

Lae and the Coastal Cities

High

Lae and the coastal cities have high crime, including carjacking and highway ambushes.

Bougainville and the Islands

Moderate

Bougainville and the islands are calmer but carry political sensitivities around Bougainville’s independence process and some unrest.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Moderate

Papua New Guinea has no national conflict, but tribal warfare in the Highlands has become deadlier with the spread of firearms, producing massacres and prolonged clashes that spill between provinces and, at times, into towns.

Terrorism

Low

There is no significant terrorism threat in Papua New Guinea. Tribal warfare can resemble localised armed conflict but is not terrorism, and outsiders do not easily blend in.

Kidnapping and Crime

High

Papua New Guinea has among the world’s highest crime rates, with armed raskol gangs committing carjacking, home invasion, armed robbery and sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom occurs though it is less common. Foreigners and resorts have been targeted.

Internal Travel

High

Road travel is hazardous, with carjacking in the cities and ambushes on the Highlands Highway, and maritime piracy affects coastal waters. Domestic aviation is the preferred means of intercity travel, and public minibuses should not be used.

Health and Disease

High

Healthcare is very limited outside Port Moresby, with scarce pharmaceuticals and poor rural provision, and Papua New Guinea has the highest HIV rate in the Pacific and endemic malaria. Serious cases require international evacuation, typically to Australia.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

High

Papua New Guinea is extraordinarily diverse, with over 800 languages and strong clan and customary structures, predominantly Christian alongside traditional beliefs. Sorcery accusations can trigger deadly violence, and travellers should respect local customs, obtain permission through local contacts, and avoid sensitive topics.

LGBT Travellers

High

Same-sex relationships are criminalised and face strong social and religious hostility. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.

Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance

Moderate

Unexploded ordnance from the Second World War remains present in former battle areas, and travellers should not handle suspected ordnance and should heed local warnings, particularly in remote and coastal areas.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

Moderate

Papua New Guinea is a democracy under Prime Minister James Marape, but state capacity is weak, corruption is significant, and the government has struggled to contain crime and tribal violence, using states of emergency. Bougainville’s independence process is a major political issue. Consular support is limited outside Port Moresby.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Low

Card and ATM fraud occur, and connectivity is limited and unreliable outside main centres, but broader cyber risk to visitors is limited. Travellers should guard financial information.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Poliomyelitis
Recommended; vaccine-derived polio has been detected in Papua New Guinea.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care.
Japanese Encephalitis
Consider for rural or long stays.
Rabies
Consider for remote or long stays.

Other Health Hazards

Malaria: High risk in most areas. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
HIV: Papua New Guinea has the highest HIV rate in the Pacific; take standard precautions.
Natural hazards: Earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunamis pose risks; know local guidance.
Trauma capacity: Trauma care is very limited outside Port Moresby. Carry a kit and pre-arrange evacuation to Australia.
Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for Papua New Guinea is available on a specialist basis, with the Highlands provinces typically excluded. Port Moresby and coastal centres are manageable with strong precautions and security support, while the Highlands and remote areas require specialist advice, and cover should include medical and evacuation provisions, typically to Australia.

Get a Quote Gulf Transit Cover Speak to an Advisor

Annex A — Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Police operate checkpoints, more so during states of emergency; cooperate calmly. Carry ID and a clear travel purpose. Do not photograph security operations or sensitive sites. Highlands provinces carry high risk and restrictions during unrest.

Kidnapping and Crime Dynamics

Ransom kidnapping occurs but is less common than other violent crime. Carjacking, home invasion and robbery are the primary threats. Criminals have targeted resorts frequented by foreigners. Risk is highest on roads, at night and in transit.

High-Risk Travellers

Highlands travellers face deadly tribal-conflict risk. Night and lone travellers face armed robbery and assault risk. Women travellers face high sexual-violence risk and should take particular care. Mariners face piracy risk in coastal waters.

Annex B — Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Avoid the Highlands and favour Port Moresby and coastal centres with security support. Use security escorts and 24-hour guarded accommodation. Hold medical and evacuation cover, typically to Australia. Take malaria prophylaxis and carry bite-avoidance measures.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Guard against card and ATM fraud. Plan for limited connectivity outside main centres. Limit public location sharing. Keep devices secure against theft.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid the Highlands and never use public minibuses. Fly rather than drive between centres. Avoid coastal maritime travel in higher-risk waters. Avoid walking or driving after dark.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Respect clan customs and obtain permission through local contacts. Avoid involvement in sorcery-related disputes. Never photograph security operations or sensitive sites.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.