15 Dec 2004

UN report says poverty in PNG on rise

11:26 am on 15 December 2004

The poverty rate in Papua New Guinea is increasing with 40 percent of the population now living on less than one US dollar a day.

The United Nations Children's Fund Country Representative, Dr Isiye Ndombi, said in Port Moresby that the figure had increased from 25 percent in 1996 to 40 per cent now.

He said poverty eradication would remain elusive for a long time if half of the primary school aged children were out of school.

He urged the government to review its policy and advance the attainment of universal primary education.