PNG’s Economic Crisis: Real GDP per Capita Plumets 9% – Allan Bird FM100 Talkback Show
Allan Bird: Real GDP per Capita falls by 9% – NSO.
By Governor Allan Bird: Sunday Nov. 10, 2024. Another very worrying graph from the NSO. This confirms very clearly that things are getting worse, not better. This is a very strong argument for a Hard Reset. PNG needs a change in direction and management style. A decline of 9% in Real per capita GDP indicates that our citizens are worse off now then they were 5 years ago. Something every PNGan already knows too well and politicians are too blind to see. Per capita GDP is the total GDP divided by our total population. It other words, it is an economic performance measure per head. It can also be a measure of how each individual is better off or worse off.
Some of you will recall about 2 years ago, the Australian Government commissioned a satellite survey to estimate our population at 17 million people. The PNG government was furious and demanded that the Australian authorities withdraw this estimate. Australia complied. The report was stricken from public record.
If our Cencus comes out with a population figure higher than that used in this calculation, per capita GDP will fall even further than 9%. It would make the Marape government look really bad in the eyes of the world.
Could this be the real reason the Cencus was not done properly? This is not an indictment on NSO. I believe NSO will try to do a fantastic job just like they did with this report. It could be the reason NSO was deliberately under funded so that they will perform a sub standard job.
I am deeply concerned that the Government may attempt to manipulate the population numbers just like they did with Australia. I urge NSO to stand fast and not give in to government pressure.
PNG needs accurate data to inform current decision making and future planning.
Once again, I call on the Marape Government and all its powerful 79 MPs in government, change the course of this country now.
Your performance is a 9% negative. This is a fail mark by any measure.
Our children and grand children must not be burdened by the bad decisions you are making. Hate the Opposition, attack us all you want, use us as your punching bag and your scape goat. That’s what we are here for.
Please spare a thought for our future generations.
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