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Analysis
Papua New Guinea is a minor power in Asia.
This is the first year that Papua New Guinea has been included in the Asia Power Index.
The country performs best in the resilience measure. Its resource-rich economy and relatively conflict-free relationships with its direct neighbours — Indonesia and Australia — contribute to this result.
However, despite lying on the geographic continuum of Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea lacks regional clout and places last for military capability, diplomatic influence and defence networks.
The country exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s negative power gap score.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
26th
— 3.8
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
25th
— 0.5
Military capability
Conventional military strength
26th
— 0.0
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
21st
— 22.0
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
26th
— 0.3
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
22nd
— 2.0
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
26th
— 0.0
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
26th
— 10.3
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
25th
— 1.2