Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country on earth, with over 800 languages among hundreds of ethnic and tribal groups. Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are the official languages, with Tok Pisin a widespread lingua franca.

Christianity is the dominant faith, often blended with traditional and animist beliefs.

Society

Papua New Guinea has a young, fast-growing, overwhelmingly rural population and low literacy and development indicators, with extraordinary cultural diversity but persistent challenges of poverty and tribal conflict.