Moving to Papua New Guinea from Maldives

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Maldives to Papua New Guinea, and you’d need to navigate life in English, Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

MV
0.6
PG
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MV
1.3
PG
14.9

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MV
$2,288
PG
$133
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

MV
21.6
PG
0.6

Maldives generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Papua New Guinea leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MV
29.0
PG
38.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MV
3.6t
PG
0.5t

Maldives 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

MV
17.4
PG
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MV
15.7%
PG
0.1%

Maldives 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

MV
4.1%
PG
2.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MV
$22,400
PG
$4,200

Maldives 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

MV
76.9 yrs
PG
69.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MV
25.7
PG
33.6

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

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Maldives 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.

Maldives passport

Maldives passport holder visiting Papua New Guinea

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Maldives 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 Maldives

Visa on Arrival
Papua New Guinea passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.

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?

Maldives 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 0.6 in Maldives.

How is healthcare in Papua New Guinea compared to Maldives?

Maldives generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Papua New Guinea leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Papua New Guinea, compared to 21.6 in Maldives. Papua New Guinea scores 30 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Maldives: 61).

What language do they speak in Papua New Guinea?

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

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At a Glance

MV PG
Population 390,164 9,593,498
Currency Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
Languages Maldivian English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +960 +675
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 000