Part 653

Age structure: 0-14 years : 40% (male 921,227; female 874,290) 15-64 years: 57% (male 1,338,483; female 1,229,180) 65 years and over: 3% (male 61,082; female 71,959) (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.28% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 32.65 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 9.83 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth : 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 58.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.65 years male: 56.78 years female: 58.56 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.36 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Nationality: noun : Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean

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 sects 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 conventional short form: Papua New Guinea abbreviation: PNG

Data code: PP

Government type: parliamentary democracy

National capital: Port Moresby

Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Independence: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution: 16 September 1975

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Wiwa KOROWI (since 11 November 1991) head of government : Acting Prime Minister John GIHENO (since 27 March 1997); Acting Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 27 March 1997); note - John GIHENO and Andrew BAING assumed the respective posts of acting prime minister and acting deputy prime minister after Prime Minister Sir Julius CHAN (in office since 30 August 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Chris HAIVETA (in office since 7 September 1994) were required to step down during an inquiry into the government's hiring of mercenaries to assist the Papua New Guinea Defense Forces against Bougainville rebels; the inquiry is scheduled to conclude on 30 May 1997 cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority support in National Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats - 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held 14-28 June 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18; note - association with political parties is fluid

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice, other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission