Moving to Papua New Guinea from France

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What to Expect

Considering a move from France to Papua New Guinea? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from France to Papua New Guinea, and you’d need to navigate life in English, Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Port Moresby averages 88°F vs 60°F in Paris, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Papua New Guinea compared to France.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

FR
1.6
PG
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

FR
4.7
PG
14.9

France performs better than Papua New Guinea across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

FR
$6,868
PG
$133
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

FR
33.4
PG
0.6

Papua New Guinea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though France leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

FR
10.0
PG
38.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

FR
4.0t
PG
0.5t

France generally does better on environment, though Papua New Guinea leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

FR
49.4
PG
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

FR
21.6%
PG
0.1%

France generally does better on infrastructure, though Papua New Guinea leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

FR
7.3%
PG
2.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

FR
$55,200
PG
$4,200

France generally does better on employment & economy, though Papua New Guinea leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

FR
82.6 yrs
PG
69.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

FR
3.1
PG
33.6

France performs better than Papua New Guinea across all family life metrics.

Data: Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Paris Rain: 25.6 in/yr (650 mm)
60° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Port Moresby Rain: 35.4 in/yr (899 mm)
88° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paris Port Moresby
Jan–Mar 48°/38°F (9°/3°C) 89°/74°F (32°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 65°/50°F (18°/10°C) 88°/74°F (31°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 74°/58°F (23°/14°C) 87°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 52°/43°F (11°/6°C) 90°/74°F (32°/24°C)
View all months
Month Paris Port Moresby
Jan 44°/36°F (6.9°/2.5°C) 90°/75°F (32.1°/23.7°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.2°/2.8°C) 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.5°C)
Mar 53°/41°F (11.8°/5.1°C) 89°/74°F (31.4°/23.4°C)
Apr 58°/44°F (14.7°/6.8°C) 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C)
May 66°/51°F (19.0°/10.5°C) 88°/74°F (31.0°/23.5°C)
Jun 71°/56°F (21.8°/13.3°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.1°C)
Jul 76°/60°F (24.4°/15.5°C) 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C)
Aug 76°/60°F (24.6°/15.4°C) 87°/73°F (30.3°/22.6°C)
Sep 69°/54°F (20.8°/12.5°C) 88°/74°F (31.0°/23.2°C)
Oct 60°/49°F (15.8°/9.2°C) 90°/74°F (32.0°/23.5°C)
Nov 51°/42°F (10.4°/5.3°C) 90°/74°F (32.5°/23.6°C)
Dec 46°/38°F (7.8°/3.6°C) 90°/75°F (32.4°/23.7°C)

Data: Météo-France Météo-France, Papua New Guinea Meteorological Service Papua New Guinea Meteorological Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between France and Papua New Guinea. To live, work, or study long-term in Papua New Guinea, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Papua New Guinea's immigration authority.

France passport

France passport holder visiting Papua New Guinea

Visa Online (e-Visa)
France passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea passport

Papua New Guinea passport holder visiting France

Visa Required
Papua New Guinea passport holders need a visa to enter France.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Papua New Guinea?

Connectivity is usually fine (Papua New Guinea: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Papua New Guinea offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Papua New Guinea safe for expats?

France performs better than Papua New Guinea across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Papua New Guinea is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.6 in France.

How is healthcare in Papua New Guinea compared to France?

Papua New Guinea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though France leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Papua New Guinea, compared to 33.4 in France. Papua New Guinea scores 30 on the WHO universal health coverage index (France: 85).

What's the weather like in Papua New Guinea compared to France?

The average high temperature in Port Moresby is 88°F, compared to 60°F in Paris. Port Moresby receives around 35.4 in of rainfall per year, while Paris gets 25.6 in.

What language do they speak in Papua New Guinea?

The official languages in Papua New Guinea are English, Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin. In France, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

FR PG
Population 68,305,148 9,593,498
Currency Euro (€) Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
Languages French English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +33 +675
Time zones 14 1
Emergency number 112 000