The post-war period in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been marked by several adverse dynamics affecting development. These include:
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Political Instability: Frequent changes in government and political infighting have hindered consistent policy implementation, leading to unpredictability in governance.
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Corruption: High levels of corruption have eroded public trust and diverted resources away from essential services and infrastructure development.
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Economic Dependence on Natural Resources: The economy's heavy reliance on extractive industries, like mining and logging, has made it vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations and has often neglected sustainable development practices.
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Social Inequality: There remains significant disparity in wealth and access to services, particularly in rural areas, exacerbating poverty and limiting opportunities for many citizens.
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Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure—such as transportation, healthcare, and education—limits economic growth and access to markets, further stalling development efforts.
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Cultural and Ethnic Tensions: Diverse tribal and ethnic identities sometimes lead to conflict, hindering national unity and collaborative development efforts.
These factors collectively challenge the country's ability to achieve stable, inclusive, and sustainable development.