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Photos of Vanuatu

Periodically active volcano Mt. Manaro is the dominant feature in this shaded relief image of Aoba (Ambae) Island, part of the Vanuatu Archipelago located 2,250 km (1,400 mi) northeast of Sydney, Australia. The 1,496 m (4,908 ft) high Hawaiian-style basaltic shield volcano features two lakes within its summit caldera, or crater. Two visualization methods were combined to produce the image: shading and color coding of topographic height. The shade image was derived by computing topographic slope in the northwest-southeast direction, so that northwest slopes appear bright and southeast slopes appear dark. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and tan, to white at the highest elevations. Image courtesy of NASA.

Introduction

Background

Austronesian speakers from the Solomon Islands first settled Vanuatu around 2000 B.C. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. Around 1600, Melanesian Chief ROI MATA united some of the islands of modern-day Vanuatu under his rule. In 1606, a Portuguese explorer was the first European to see Vanuatu's Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and the islands -- then known as the New Hebrides -- were frequented by whalers in the 1800s. European interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict with the inhabitants. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males on the islands to work as indentured servants.

With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the UK-France condominium to jointly administer the islands, with separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional, and the UK used France’s initial defeat in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. During the war, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu. In 1945, they withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious movements known as "cargo cults," such as the John Frum movement. 

The UK-France condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant. Political parties agitating for independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented, and elections were held in 1974, with independence granted to the newly named Vanuatu in 1980 under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. The Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, then declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent from Vanuatu, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time, but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted more than a dozen times through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues.

World Factbook Glyph

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Geography

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Area

total : 12,189 sq km

land: 12,189 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited

comparison ranking: total 162

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

2,528 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

Climate

tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April

Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Elevation

highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Land use

agricultural land: 15.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 10.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.1% (2018 est.)

other: 48.6% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head

Geography - note

a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes and there are several underwater volcanoes as well

People and Society

Population

total: 318,007

male: 157,932

female: 160,075 (2024 est.)

comparison rankings: female 179; male 179; total 179

Nationality

noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

adjective: Ni-Vanuatu

Ethnic groups

Ni-Vanuatu 99%, other 1% (European, Asian, other Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, other) (2020 est.)

Languages

indigenous languages (more than 100) 82.6%, Bislama (official; creole) 14.5%, English (official) 2.1%, French (official) 0.8% (2020 est.)

note: data represent first language spoken for population aged 3 years and above

Religions

Protestant 39.9% (Presbyterian 27.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 14.8%, Anglican 12%, Churches of Christ 5%, Assemblies of God 4.9%, Neil Thomas Ministry/Inner Life Ministry 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.1%, Apostolic 2.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.8%, customary beliefs (including Jon Frum cargo cult) 3.1%, other 12%, none 1.4%, unspecified 0.1% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.1% (male 50,584/female 48,475)

15-64 years: 63.8% (male 99,496/female 103,425)

65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 7,852/female 8,175)

2023 population pyramid:
2023 population pyramid

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 76.5

youth dependency ratio: 69.9

elderly dependency ratio: 12.3

potential support ratio: 15.2 (2021 est.)

Median age

total: 24.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 24.1 years

female: 25 years

comparison ranking: total 176

Population growth rate

1.55% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 61

Birth rate

20.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 63

Death rate

4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 215

Net migration rate

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 153

Population distribution

three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace

Urbanization

urban population: 26% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030File Icon

Major urban areas - population

53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

94 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: 72

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 15 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 103

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 74 years

female: 77.4 years

comparison ranking: total population 123

Total fertility rate

2.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 69

Gross reproduction rate

1.23 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 89.7% of population

total: 92.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 10.3% of population

total: 7.7% of population (2020 est.)

Physician density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 91.1% of population

rural: 60.4% of population

total: 68.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 8.9% of population

rural: 39.6% of population

total: 31.8% of population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.2% (2016)

comparison ranking: 52

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 1.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.87 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 136

Tobacco use

total: 17.8% (2020 est.)

male: 33% (2020 est.)

female: 2.6% (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: total 94

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.7% (2013)

comparison ranking: 49

Education expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: 180

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89.1%

male: 89.8%

female: 88.4% (2021)

Environment

Environment - current issues

population growth; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate

tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April

Land use

agricultural land: 15.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 10.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.1% (2018 est.)

other: 48.6% (2018 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 26% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030File Icon

Revenue from forest resources

0.54% of GDP (2018 est.)

comparison ranking: 64

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

comparison ranking: 144

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 8.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.15 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.5 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 70,225 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,983 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 37% (2013 est.)

Total renewable water resources

10 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu

conventional short form: Vanuatu

local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu

local short form: Vanuatu

former: New Hebrides

etymology: derived from the words "vanua" (home or land) and "tu" (stand) that occur in several of the Austonesian languages spoken on the islands and which provide a meaning of "the land remains" but which also convey a sense of "independence" or "our land"

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Port-Vila (on Efate)

geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E

time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: there are two possibilities for the origin of the name: early European settlers were Portuguese and "vila" means "village or town" in Portuguese, hence "Port-Vila" would mean "Port Town"; alternatively, the site of the capital is referred to as "Efil" or "Ifira" in native languages, "Vila" is a likely corruption of these names

Administrative divisions

6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Independence

30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law

Constitution

history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence

amendments: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2013

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)

head of government: Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI (since 6 October 2023)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; Vanuatu president serves a 5-year term; election last held on 23 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 20 April 2020 (next to be held following general elections in 2024)

election results:
2022:
Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes; note - Charlot SALWAI (RMC) elected prime minister on 6 October 2023, 29 votes for, 0 against; Prime Minister Sato KILMAN lost no-confidence vote on 6 October 2023, requiring a new election

2017: Bob LOUGHMAN elected prime minister on 20 April 2020; Bob LOUGHMAN 31 votes, Ralph REGENVANU 21 votes

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9 multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with only 4% of the vote)

elections: last held on 13 October 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 7, VP 7, LPV 5, RMC 5, GJP 4, NUP 4, RDP 4, IG 3, PPP 2, NCM 2, VNDP 2, LM 1, NAG 1, PUDP 1, UCM 1, VLM 1, VPDP 1, independent 1; composition - men 50, women 1, percentage women 2%; note - political party associations are fluid

note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of 2 or more judges of the Supreme Court designated by the chief justice); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 puisne judges - 3 local and 3 expatriate)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges serve until the age of retirement

subordinate courts: Magistrates Courts; Island Courts

Political parties

Iauko Group (Eagle Party) or IG 
Laverwo Movement or LM 
Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati or GJP) 
Leaders Party of Vanuatu or LVP 
Nagriamel Movement or NAG 
National United Party or NUP 
Nagwasoanda Custom Movement or NCM 
People's Progressive Party or PPP 
People Unity Development Party or PUDP 
Rural Development Party or RDP 
Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC 
Union of Moderate Parties or UMP
Unity for Change Movement or UCM 
Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP 
Vanuatu Liberal Movement or VLM 
Vanuatu National Development Party or VNDP 
Vanuatu Progressive Development Party or VPDP 

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017)
note - also Permanent Representative to the UN

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303

FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://www.un.int/vanuatu/

note - the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 16 April 2024); note - also accredited to the Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

embassy: Port Vila

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow; red represents the blood of boars and men, as well as unity, green the richness of the islands, and black the ni-Vanuatu people; the yellow Y-shape - which reflects the pattern of the islands in the Pacific Ocean - symbolizes the light of the Gospel spreading through the islands; the boar's tusk is a symbol of prosperity frequently worn as a pendant on the islands; the fern fronds represent peace

note: one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Eritrea

National symbol(s)

boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds; national colors: red, black, green, yellow

National anthem

name: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)

lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV

note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

Economy

Economic overview

lower-middle income Pacific island economy; extremely reliant on subsistence agriculture and tourism; environmentally fragile; struggling post-pandemic and Tropical Cyclone Harold rebound; sizeable inflation; road infrastructure aid from Australia

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$999.536 million (2023 est.)
$977.896 million (2022 est.)
$959.511 million (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 210

Real GDP growth rate

2.21% (2023 est.)
1.92% (2022 est.)
-1.55% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 133

Real GDP per capita

$3,000 (2023 est.)
$3,000 (2022 est.)
$3,000 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 193

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.126 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.68% (2022 est.)
2.34% (2021 est.)
5.33% (2020 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 139

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 27.3% (2017 est.)

industry: 11.8% (2017 est.)

services: 60.8% (2017 est.)

comparison rankings: services 115; industry 201; agriculture 24

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 59.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 28.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -48.5% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

coconuts, root vegetables, bananas, vegetables, fruits, pork, groundnuts, milk, beef, tropical fruits (2022)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Industrial production growth rate

4.92% (2018 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 54

Labor force

142,000 (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 180

Unemployment rate

5.1% (2023 est.)
5.17% (2022 est.)
4.73% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 96

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 10.7% (2023 est.)

male: 8.9% (2023 est.)

female: 13% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 128

Population below poverty line

15.9% (2020 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

32.3 (2019 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 106

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3% (2019 est.)

highest 10%: 24.7% (2019 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

15.68% of GDP (2023 est.)
19.35% of GDP (2022 est.)
21.03% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $398 million (2019 est.)

expenditures: $355 million (2019 est.)

Public debt

87.07% of GDP (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: 29

Taxes and other revenues

15.88% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 130

Current account balance

-$127.432 million (2022 est.)
-$75.451 million (2021 est.)
-$57.858 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 96

Exports

$152.087 million (2022 est.)
$82.08 million (2021 est.)
$132.943 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 209

Exports - partners

Thailand 42%, Japan 27%, South Korea 7%, Philippines 6%, China 5% (2022)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

fish, perfume plants, copra, shellfish, cocoa beans (2022)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$579.347 million (2022 est.)
$520.391 million (2021 est.)
$438.373 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 199

Imports - partners

China 24%, Australia 15%, Malaysia 12%, NZ 9%, Fiji 8% (2022)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, plastic products, poultry, broadcasting equipment (2022)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$643.768 million (2023 est.)
$638.537 million (2022 est.)
$664.751 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 161

Debt - external

$200.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 188

Exchange rates

vatu (VUV) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
119.113 (2023 est.)
115.354 (2022 est.)
109.453 (2021 est.)
115.38 (2020 est.)
114.733 (2019 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 70% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 97%

electrification - rural areas: 60.7%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 38,000 kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 68.092 million kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 5.198 million kWh (2022 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 10; consumption 203; installed generating capacity 198

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 81.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar: 11.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

248,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 248,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 201

Energy consumption per capita

10.775 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: 148

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 3,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 210

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 256,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 78 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 182

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: for many years, 2G Global System for Mobile Communications was the primary mobile technology for Vanuatu’s 300,000 people; recent infrastructure projects have improved access technologies, with a transition to 3G and 4G; Vanuatu has also benefited from the ICN1 submarine cable and the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite, both of which have considerably improved access to telecom services in recent years; Vanuatu’s telecom sector is liberalized, with the two prominent mobile operators; while fixed broadband penetration remains low, the incumbent operator is slowly exchanging copper fixed-lines for fiber; a number of ongoing submarine cable developments will also assist in increasing data rates and reduce internet pricing in coming years (2023)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 78 per 100 (2021)

international: country code - 678; landing points for the ICN1 & ICN2 submarine cables providing connectivity to the Solomon Islands and Fiji; cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV is available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters (Capital FM 107 and Laef FM); programming from multiple international broadcasters is available (2023)

Internet users

total: 211,200 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 66% (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total 181

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 2,785 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: total 194

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 374,603 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.66 million (2018) mt-km

Airports

31 (2024)

comparison ranking: 118

Roadways

total: 2,958 km (2023)

comparison ranking: total 164

Merchant marine

total: 338 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 3, general cargo 101, other 223

comparison ranking: total 54

Ports

total ports: 3 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 1

very small: 2

ports with oil terminals: 2

key ports: Forari Bay, Luganville, Port Vila

Military and Security

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) (2024)

note: the VPF includes the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW); the paramilitary VMF also has external security responsibilities

Military - note

the separate British and French police forces were unified in 1980 as the New Hebrides Constabulary, which was commanded by Ni-Vanuatu officers while retaining some British and French officers as advisors; the Constabulary was subsequently renamed the Vanuatu Police Force later in 1980

the Vanuatu Mobile Force has received training and other support from Australia, China, France, New Zealand, and the US

Vanuatu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Vanuatu's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2024)

Transnational Issues

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Vanuatu remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/vanuatu/