2023 Papua New Guinea Rural Household Survey: Insights on livelihoods and the agrifood system

A new IFPRI survey of rural households in Papua New Guinea (PNG)—the most expansive consumption expenditure survey in more than a decade—shows the continuing predominance of subsistence agriculture and that rural diets remain reliant on inexpensive, starchy staple foods.

The 2023 PNG Rural Household Survey, funded by the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, addresses a recognized lack of comprehensive and up-to-date data on rural household agrifood systems in PNG. It collected key information on rural livelihoods, consumption and expenditure trends, climate shocks, and dietary and child growth indicators. The survey was conducted from May to December 2023 across 14 provinces representing five agro-ecological zones (Figure 1). In total, the survey covered 2,699 households in 270 villages.