Highest Crime in Papua New Guinea

Top 28 cities ranked by highest crime

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Papua New Guinea

Highest Crime — Papua New Guinea

1 Wau 14 9.3 per 1K

2 Port Moresby 20 9.3 per 1K

3 Lae 14 9.3 per 1K

4 Arawa 07 9.3 per 1K

5 Mount Hagen 16 9.3 per 1K

6 Popondetta 04 9.3 per 1K

7 Madang 12 9.3 per 1K

8 Kokopo 10 9.3 per 1K

9 Mendi 05 9.3 per 1K

10 Kimbe 17 9.3 per 1K

11 Goroka 09 9.3 per 1K

12 Wewak 11 9.3 per 1K

13 Bulolo 14 9.3 per 1K

14 Daru 06 9.3 per 1K

15 Aitape 18 9.3 per 1K

16 Kavieng 15 9.3 per 1K

17 Kiunga 06 9.3 per 1K

18 Vanimo 18 9.3 per 1K

19 Tabubil 06 9.3 per 1K

20 Alotau 03 9.3 per 1K

21 Kundiawa 08 9.3 per 1K

22 Kainantu 09 9.3 per 1K

23 Tari 21 9.3 per 1K

24 Rabaul 10 9.3 per 1K

25 Ialibu 05 9.3 per 1K

26 Kokoda 04 9.3 per 1K

27 Lorengau 13 9.3 per 1K

28 Kerema 02 9.3 per 1K

Cities with the highest crime rates in Papua New Guinea face public safety challenges that affect residents' quality of life and economic development. Wau has 9.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

High crime rates are often linked to economic factors including poverty, unemployment, income inequality, and limited access to education and social services. Addressing crime effectively requires tackling these underlying root causes alongside traditional law enforcement approaches.

Many cities on this list are actively implementing comprehensive safety strategies including community policing, violence intervention programs, youth mentorship, and economic development initiatives aimed at reducing the conditions that contribute to criminal activity.

Did You Know?

1. The violent crime rate in Wau is 2.3x the national average.
2. Crime rates have been declining nationally for decades — even cities on this list have generally seen improvements over time.
3. Violent crime is heavily concentrated in specific neighborhoods — most areas within these cities are considerably safer than the citywide statistics suggest.

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