Country Profile: Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a nation of over 80 islands situated in the South Pacific, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia. The population, primarily consisting of the Ni-Vanuatu people, is estimated at 318,007 in 2024, with the majority residing in rural areas. The economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture and tourism, making it vulnerable to external shocks. Vanuatu gained independence in 1980 and operates as a parliamentary republic, characterized by a complex political landscape shaped by linguistic divisions.

Geography

Vanuatu is located in Oceania, featuring a tropical climate that is moderated by southeast trade winds. The terrain consists of mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin with narrow coastal plains. The country has a total land area of 12,189 square kilometers and is made up of more than 80 islands.

2,528 km of coastline
12 nm territorial sea
200 nm exclusive economic zone
1,877 m highest point: Tabwemasana
74.8% of land is forested
15.3% of land is agricultural

People and Society

The estimated population of Vanuatu stands at 318,007 in 2024, predominantly composed of the Ni-Vanuatu ethnic group. The country's official languages are Bislama, English, and French, reflecting its colonial history. The life expectancy at birth is 75.7 years, and the median age is 24.9 years.

99% of the population identifies as Ni-Vanuatu (2020)
26% urban population (2023)
20.36 births/1,000 population (2025)
4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2025)
88% literacy rate (2023)
31.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years

Economy

Vanuatu's economy is classified as lower-middle income, heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture and tourism, and recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The real GDP is estimated at $1.039 billion for 2024, with a growth rate of 4% projected.

$3,200 real GDP per capita (2024)
24.9% of GDP is from agriculture (2022)
60.4% of GDP is from services (2022)
5.1% unemployment rate (2024)
71.7% public debt as a percentage of GDP (2023)
12.9% of GDP from remittances (2023)

Government

Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic with a complex political system influenced by its colonial past. The country has a mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law. The president is elected by an electoral college, while the prime minister is typically the leader of the majority party in Parliament.

Nikenike VUROBARAVU is the president (since July 2022)
Jotham NAPAT is the prime minister (since February 2025)
6 provinces: Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
52 members in Parliament
18 years is the voting age
Independence Day: 30 July (from France and UK in 1980)

Military and Security

Vanuatu has no regular military forces and relies on the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) for internal security. This includes a paramilitary component known as the Vanuatu Mobile Force.

No regular military forces exist; only police
Vanuatu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US
The VPF was unified in 1980 from separate British and French police forces

Energy

Approximately 70% of the population has access to electricity, with urban areas having a significantly higher rate than rural areas. The majority of electricity generation comes from fossil fuels, complemented by renewable sources.

39,000 kW total installed capacity (2023)
74.9% of electricity from fossil fuels (2023)
2,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023)
12.934 million Btu/person energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

Vanuatu faces several environmental challenges, including water pollution, deforestation, and limited potable water sources. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements.

10 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022)
292,000 metric tonnes CO2 emissions (2023)
52.9% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes numerous airports and a merchant marine fleet, facilitating both domestic and international movement.

31 airports expected by 2025
338 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
Key ports include Forari Bay, Luganville, and Port Vila

Communications

Vanuatu has a growing communications infrastructure, with a significant number of mobile cellular subscriptions relative to the population size.

256,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
46% of the population uses the internet (2023)
3,000 fixed line subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	318,007	2024 estimate
Area	12,189 sq km	Total area of Vanuatu
GDP (PPP)	$1.039 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	5.1%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	12.934 million Btu	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	20.36 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	75.7 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	88%	2023 estimate
Public Debt	71.7% of GDP	2023 estimate
Total Area	12,189 sq km	Total land area of Vanuatu