This book investigates the complex interplay between employment, income distribution, and migration patterns within the urban centers of Papua New Guinea during a critical period of its development. Garnaut, an economist with extensive experience in the region, draws upon detailed empirical data and theoretical frameworks to analyze the economic and social forces shaping these trends. The work presents a nuanced argument about the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid urbanization and the integration of a developing economy into global markets.

This seminal work by Ross Garnaut is recognized for its rigorous empirical analysis of socio-economic dynamics in a developing nation. Scholars in economics and development studies often cite it for its foundational insights into the challenges of urbanization and income inequality in Papua New Guinea. The book's detailed data and theoretical framing provide a robust basis for understanding the region's economic trajectory.