Education

The country’s basic stages of education consist of: pre-school, primary and secondary education.

Pre-school and primary education are not compulsory stages. Primary Education lasts for duration of six years. Secondary education consists of two stages lasting five years. The first stage is the lower secondary level that includes Grades IX and X. Upper secondary level covers Grades XI and XII. Vocational training and technical education is also offered, special courses designed as per subject.

Provincial and district education authorities are responsible for budget allocation. International assistance organisations have played an important role in building and supporting the nation’s education system.

(Source: ibe.unesco.org)

In 2010, Papua New Guinea’s literacy rate is registered at 59.1%.

(Source: undp.org)

Health

‘National Department of Health’ is the governing body responsible for health and welfare issues of the Papua New Guinea. Some of its primary objectives are:

• Immunize every child under the age of 1 year

• Reduce spread of HIV, AIDS and STIs

• Reduce incidence of tuberculosis

• Reduce maternal mortality rate

•  Reduce spread of malaria in high risk areas

• Increase access to of urban poor population to health services

Approximately 96% of people have access to basic primary health care facilities. The country has around 508 health centres, 1820 aid posts and 48 urban clinics.

The government is the largest provider of health care, although the Church Health Service operates rural health centres and sub-centres. The government drafts programmes to promote cleanliness and hygiene, prevention of diseases, proper nutrition and general awareness.

(Source: National Department of Health)

Papua New Guinea’s economy is driven by agriculture, exports of natural resources and small-scale industries. Inefficient government policies and business regulations hamper economic growth.

(Source: Heritage.org)

Gross domestic product (GDP)

GDP experienced continual growth from 2005 to 2009. In 2011, GDP is estimated to be PGK 29.95 billion.

(Source: imf.org) e = estimate

GDP growth rate

In 2007, GDP growth rate of the country was registered at 7.2%. The rate declined to 6.7% by 2009. In 2011, it is projected to reach 6.2%.

(Source: Central Bank, page: 18) p = projected

Gross national income (GNI)

In 2009, Papua New Guinea’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP) was recorded at USD 2,227.

(Source: UNDP)

Tax rate

Papua New Guinea has a progressive income tax system. Individual income tax rate is 22% - 42% and corporate income tax is 30%. Sales Tax rate in the country is 10%.

(Source: Tax rate.cc)

Personal income tax (for residents)

(Source: Tax rate.cc)

Inflation

Inflation rate shows fluctuating movement from 2005 to 2009. In 2011, inflation is estimated to reach 9%.

(Source: imf.org) e = estimate

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

FDI inflow in the country registered sudden rise from 2008 to 2009. In 2009, FDI inflow was recorded at USD 423.24 million.

(Source: World Bank)

Central bank assets                                                                                         

Central Bank of Papua New Guinea witnessed steady increase in total assets from 2005 to 2010. In 2010, total assets were recorded at PGK 8,129.70 million.

(Source: Central Bank) 

Labour force

Sweden has an employment rate of 64.6%. The total labour force as of December 2010 is 4.91 million, out of which 4.55 million people are employed. Thus the unemployment rate for 2010 was 7.4%, decreasing 1.2% over 2009.

(Source: National Statistics)

Labour force participation rate

The labour force participation rate in 2008 was 65%.

(Source: World bank)

Unemployment rate

In December 2010, the unemployment rate was estimated at 7.4%, decreasing 1.2% over December 2009.

(Source: National Statistics)

Minimum wage

The minimum wage in 2010 was SEK 142.50 (hourly). The minimum wage is not decided by the legislation, it is set by collective bargaining.

(Source: Central Bank)

Level of unionisation

There are three trade unions present in Sweden: the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (Saco) and the Swedish Confederation of Employees (TCO). Being a member of a trade union includes benefits like special insurance policies, coaching and representation for contract negotiations and legal support. About 70% of Swedish workers belong to a trade union, indicating Sweden is one of the most unionized countries in the world.

(Source: sweden.se)

Mass public transit

Public transport in the country is primarily through buses. In February 2011, construction started on the first metro line in the country and in Central America. The metro is expected to be ready for public transport by 2011.

Ports: Major ports in Panama are:

(Source: worldportsource.com)

Airports:

There are about 25 airports in the country. Selected major airports are:

(Source: aircraft-charter-world.com)

Telecommunications networks

In 2009, the number of fixed telephone lines in the country was 537,100, an increase of 4.8% from 2004. The number of fixed line telephones in 2004 was 424,800.

(Source: itu.int)

The number of mobile phone subscribers in 2009 was 5.67 million. The total mobile phone subscribers increased by 35% between 2004 and 2009. In 2004, the mobile phone users were registered at 1.26 million.

(Source: itu.int)

As of June 2010, 959,900 people or 28.1% of the total population used internet services. In 2008 and 2009, the percentage of people using internet was only 8% of the population.

(Source:internetworldstats.com)

Mass public transit

Most popular means of mass public transport are local buses and cars. Other options for long-distance travelling are by boat and airways.

(Source: World66)

Roads

Papua New Guinea's total public road network amounts to around 25,000 km. National roads account for 8,422 km. and provincial roads cover 8,112 km.

(Source: World Bank)

Ports

Papua New Guinea has a total of 19 ports. Selected ports include; Aitape, Bialla Daru, Kavieng, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul, Samarai, Vanimo and Wewak.

(Source: World Port Source)

Airports

Some of the major airports in Papua New Guinea are:

(Source: Aircraft Charter)

Telecommunication

Telephone Lines

In 2009, the number of fixed telephone line users in Papua New Guinea was recorded at 60,000.

(Source: itu.int)

Mobile cellular subscriptions

Papua New Guinea’s Mobile subscriptions witnessed steady rise from 2005 to 2009. In 2009, the number of mobile cellular subscription users was recorded at 900,000.

(Source: itu.int)

Approximately 125,000 out of 5,940,775 people, i.e. 2.1 % of population used the Internet in 2010. From 2000 to 2010, Internet users declined by 7.4 %.

(Sources: Internet World Stats)

Literacy Rate

Literacy rate in Sweden is 99%. Primary education is compulsory for all individuals in the country. (Source: guardian.co.uk)

Education Resources

The education level, in Sweden, has been improved over the past three decades. In 1970s one out of three Swedes had higher education, but in 2006, 84% of Swedes aged between 25-64 years had higher education. One-fifth of the population aged 25-64 has 3 year post-secondary education and only 15% has compulsory education.

Major population of Sweden is literate as free and compulsory education is provided to children aged between 7-16 years. The structure of the education system is- Child care, Public school system, Higher education, Public school system for adults and other adult education.

As Sweden is a member of the European Union (EU), it has to adhere to three joint goals specified by the EU to

• Provide better quality and effectiveness in the educational system
• Facilitate access to the educational system
• Open the educational system to the rest of the world

 (Source: National Statistics)

Total educational expenditure for 2009 was SEK 272,081 million, accounting to 8.75% of GDP.

Healthcare Resources

The healthcare system of Sweden is decentralized and 70% of its services are funded by the local government taxes. The 21 county councils are responsible for hospitals and 290 municipalities provide medical care. The count of doctors per patient is 3.3 per 1,000, better than the count in UK i.e. 2 doctors per 1,000.

(Source: BBC, Swedish healthcare)

Roadways

The total length of paved road and unpaved road on the state road network was 78,795 km and 19,691 km respectively in 2009.

(Source: Ministry of transportation)

Ports

There are 82 ports in Sweden. Alhus, Falkenbergs Terminal, Gavle, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Karlskrona, Copenhagen Malmo, Norrkoping, and Norrkoping are some of the biggest ports in the country.

(Source: world port)

Airports

Sweden has 200 airports. Some of the biggest airports in terms of runway length are:

(Source: aircraft-charter)

Telecommunications networks

As of 2010, 91% of the population, 6,291,300 people, use internet, and 85% of the population, 5,844,000 people, have broadband access at home. 

 (Source: National Statistics)