Crime affecting daily life in Papua New Guinea’s towns and cities is imposing significant social and economic costs, with new research suggesting that routine criminal activity has become as important a business concern as the tribal conflicts that often dominate public attention.
When Papua New Guinea’s security challenges are discussed, the conversation frequently centres on tribal fighting in the Highlands. While those conflicts remain serious, new research argues that everyday crime in urban areas is having an equally profound impact on businesses, communities and investor confidence.
In an article published by the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University, researchers Jack Assa, Francis Essacu and Judy Putt say routine offences such as theft, bag snatching, assaults, break-ins, vehicle hijackings and hold-ups are reshaping how people live and work across the country’s major urban centres.
Drawing on findings from their report, Crime and Safety in Selected Papua New Guinea Provinces: A Pilot Study, the authors found that many residents in Port Moresby, Lae and Kokopo reported feeling unsafe in their own communities, particularly after dark. The perception of insecurity, they argue, is often as influential as actual crime because it changes behaviour. People limit travel, avoid certain areas and increasingly rely on family networks or private security to feel safe.
The study found that 27.9 per cent of respondents had been victims of crime during the previous year, most commonly theft, assault or break-and-enter offences. In nearly 68 per cent of those incidents, a weapon was involved, contributing to heightened fear among victims and the wider community.
For businesses, the implications extend well beyond personal safety. The authors note that World Bank research has found around 67 per cent of firms in Papua New Guinea identify crime as a major constraint to doing business, while approximately 84 per cent incur additional costs by employing private security services. These expenses ultimately increase operating costs, affect investment decisions and reduce business competitiveness.
The researchers also found that confidence in formal policing weakens where responses are perceived to be slow or unpredictable, encouraging greater reliance on private security and informal community protection. Over time, this can create unequal access to safety depending on where businesses operate and the resources available to them.
The authors argue that improving security in Papua New Guinea requires a broader policy focus than tribal violence alone. They say strengthening urban policing, improving safety in public spaces and rebuilding confidence in law enforcement are all essential if communities and businesses are to operate with greater confidence.
For companies operating in Papua New Guinea, the research reinforces the close relationship between security and economic performance. Beyond the direct financial costs, persistent concerns about everyday crime influence workforce mobility, logistics, customer behaviour and investor perceptions, making public safety an important component of the country’s broader business environment.
Source and republication acknowledgement: This article is based on research and analysis by Jack Assa, Francis Essacu and Judy Putt, originally published by the Development Policy Centre, Australian National University, under a Creative Commons licence permitting republication with attribution. The original article, Beyond tribal violence: everyday crime and insecurity in PNG, and the underlying report, Crime and Safety in Selected Papua New Guinea Provinces: A Pilot Study, are available from the Development Policy Centre.
