What is Papua's Economic Growth Rate?

Papua's economy, based on the current price Regional Gross Domestic Product (RGDP), reached Rp 56.58 trillion in the third quarter of 2018. Accumulated from January to September, it reached Rp 163.9 trillion. Based on constant 2010 prices, the RGDP was Rp 42.92 trillion; however, excluding mining and quarrying, it was only Rp 22.97 trillion.

Papua's economy in the third quarter of 2018, based on the constant 2010 price RGDP, grew by 1.32% compared to the previous quarter (QoQ) and by 6.76% compared to the third quarter of the previous year (YoY). This easternmost Indonesian province has experienced fluctuating economic growth, as shown in the graph below. Papua's economy has shown consecutive growth over the last nine quarters. The highest growth was recorded in the first quarter of 2018, exceeding 26% compared to the first quarter of 2017. The lowest growth was recorded in the first quarter of 2016, at only 3.72%.

To boost Papua's economy, President Joko Widodo is developing road, port, and airport infrastructure in the province with Jayapura as its capital. Besides acting as a lever for the local economy, this infrastructure development aims to reduce the disparity with other regions. Unfortunately, while the government is actively developing Papua, an armed group attacked and shot 31 workers building a bridge in Nduga Regency.

(Read Databoks: A Quarter of Papua's Population Lives Below the Poverty Line)