Lae Population 2026
Lae has a population of 76,255, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, located in Morobe Province. Roughly 0.7% of Papua New Guinea's population lives here. It is about 3.7× smaller than Port Moresby, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
76,255
Rank in Papua New Guinea
#2
Coordinates
6.72°S, 147.00°E
~44 m elevation · Pacific/Port_Moresby
Distance to capital (Port Moresby)
307 km
191 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Morobe Province
| City | Population | Rank in Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Bulolo | 16,042 | #12 |
Cities near Lae
- Bulolo16,042 people · ~66 km away
- Goroka18,503 people · ~191 km away
- Madang27,419 people · ~214 km away
- Popondetta28,198 people · ~265 km away
- Port Moresby283,733 people · ~307 km away
- Mount Hagen33,623 people · ~320 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Lae?
Lae has a population of 76,255 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in Papua New Guinea.
What region is Lae in?
Lae is located in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
Is Lae the capital of Papua New Guinea?
No, the capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby, about 307 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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