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Lae, Papua New Guinea

Morobe Province · 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

Lae is a mid-size city in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea with a population of 76,255. Elevation: 144 ft (44 m). Average temperature: 78°F (25°C).

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
76,255 Population
144 ft Elevation 44 meters
78°F Avg Temperature 25°C
121.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Port Moresby Timezone
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Bachelor's+ 6.0%
82% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 20.5%
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
29% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 52.2%
321% higher than US avg

People

Population76,255
Median Age21.7 yrs
DensityN/A
Male / Female51% / 49%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$2,966
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty52.2%

Health

Obesity20.5%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking36.9%
Depression2.7%

Climate

Avg Temp78°F (25°C)
AQI15 (Good)
Rain121.4 in/yr
Sunny Days116/yr
Elevation144 ft (44 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.0%
High School+87.1%

Community

CommuteN/A
Broadband24.1%
Population76,255
Elevation144 ft (44 m)
Coordinates-6.7233°, 146.9961°
TimezonePacific/Port_Moresby
Country🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
State / ProvinceMorobe Province
Average Temperature78°F (25°C)
January Average79°F (26°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Annual Precipitation121.4 inches (3,083 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Age21.7 years

Is Lae a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lae receives an overall livability score of 1.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Lae faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 52.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population.

Education

6.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Lae has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F. Winters average 79°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 116 sunny days, the area sees less sunshine than many U.S. cities. Annual precipitation totals 121.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 15.

Lae has a population of 76,255. The median age is 21.7 years, 44% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 48.6% female and 51.4% male. 3.5% of residents have a disability (below the 13.0% national average). 32.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

76,255
Total Population
21.7yrs
Median Age
44% below US avg

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Lae vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Lae vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lae is N/A. Per capita income is $2,966 (below the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 52.2% of residents live below the poverty line, higher than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 61.7, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living.

Income: Lae vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$2,966

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
29% below US avg
Poverty Rate52.2%
321% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living61.70 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

In Lae, 20.5% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 14.8% have diabetes (above the 10.5% national rate). 27.8% have high blood pressure. 36.9% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 1.3% report binge drinking. 2.7% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Lae vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity20.5%
36% below US avg
Diabetes14.8%
High Blood Pressure27.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking36.9%
164% above US avg
Binge Drinking1.3%
Depression2.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate32.0%

Food & Exercise

Lae has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winters average 79°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July — relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 116 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 121.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 15 — among the cleanest air in the country. 92% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 144 feet.

Temperature

79°F Jan (26°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average77.5°F
44% above US avg
January Average79°F (26°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days116 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall121.4 inches
219% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median15.0
RatingGood
Good Days %91.9%

Geography

Elevation144 ft (44 m)
Coordinates-6.7233°N, 146.9961°W
TimezonePacific/Port_Moresby

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 79°F (26°C) 9.4 in
February 79°F (26°C) 8.6 in Warmest
March 79°F (26°C) 9.6 in
April 78°F (26°C) 10.4 in
May 78°F (25°C) 10.1 in
June 76°F (25°C) 10.2 in
July 75°F (24°C) 12.6 in Coldest, Wettest
August 75°F (24°C) 12.1 in
September 77°F (25°C) 10.2 in
October 77°F (25°C) 10.8 in
November 78°F (26°C) 8.0 in Driest
December 79°F (26°C) 9.6 in

Lae has a seasonal temperature swing of 4°F — from 75°F in July to 79°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 121.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (12.6") and November the driest (8.0").

6.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 82% below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. 24.1% of households have broadband internet access (below the 90.0% national rate).

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.0%
82% below US avg
High School+87.1%
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access24.1%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions About Lae

What is the population of Lae?

Lae has a population of 76,255 residents and is located in Papua New Guinea.. The median age of residents is 21.7 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 48.6% female and 51.4% male.

Is Lae expensive to live in?

Lae is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 61.7 — below the baseline of 100.

What is the weather like in Lae?

Lae has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winter temperatures average 79°F in January, while summers reach an average of 75°F in July. The area receives 116 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 121.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 15.

How is the job market in Lae?

The job market in Lae is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.6% — well below the national rate of 3.6%.

How are the schools in Lae?

6.0% of adults in Lae hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school.

How healthy is Lae?

The obesity rate in Lae is 20.5% (below the national rate of 32.1%). 36.9% of adults are smokers. 2.7% of residents report depression.

Nearby Cities

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