Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted. Politics and society continue to be divided along linguistic lines, although those divisions are lessening over time. Coalition governments tend to be weak, and since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues 10 times. Prime Minister Charlot SALAWI has survived four no-confidence motions since taking office in 2016.
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
16 00 S, 167 00 E
Oceania
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
country comparison to the world: 163
slightly larger than Connecticut
0 km
2,528 km
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
continental shelf: 200nm or to the edge of the continental margin
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
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
mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
agricultural land: 15.3% (2011 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 10.3% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 3.4% (2011 est.)
forest: 36.1% (2011 est.)
other: 48.6% (2011 est.)
0 sq km (2012)
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
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
population growth; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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
288,037 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.)
local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)
Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)
0-14 years: 34.89%(male 51,313 /female 49,190)
15-24 years: 20.03%(male 28,631 /female 29,053)
25-54 years: 35.39%(male 49,803 /female 52,140)
55-64 years: 5.57%(male 7,973 /female 8,072)
65 years and over: 4.12%(male 5,968 /female 5,894) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 68.7 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 61.6 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 14.1 (2015 est.)
total: 22.3 years (2018 est.)
male: 21.9 years
female: 22.7 years
country comparison to the world: 180
1.81% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
23.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
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
urban population: 25.4% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
total: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 102
total population: 74 years (2018 est.)
male: 72.4 years
female: 75.7 years
country comparison to the world: 130
2.97 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
49% (2013)
improved: urban: 98.9% of population
rural: 92.9% of population
total: 94.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population
rural: 7.1% of population
total: 5.5% of population (2015 est.)
3.7% (2016)
0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
improved: urban: 65.1% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 55.4% of population (2015 est.)
total: 57.9% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 34.9% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 44.6% of population (2015 est.)
total: 42.1% of population (2015 est.)
NA
NA
NA
25.2% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 52
10.7% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 59
4.7% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 81
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.2%
male: 86.6%
female: 83.8% (2015)
total: 10.6%
male: 10.2%
female: 11.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
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"
parliamentary republic
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)
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
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 (2019)
mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Tallis Obed MOSES (since 6 July 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI (since 11 February 2016)
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 17 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022); 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 11 February 2016 (next to be held following general elections in 2020)
election results: Baldwin LONSDALE (independent) died suddenly on 17 June 2017; Parliament elected Tallis Obed MOSES on 6 July 2017 with a 39 to 17 vote in the fourth round; Charlot SALWAI elected prime minister on 11 February 2016 with 46 votes
description: description: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (some candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with as little as 4 percent of the vote)
elections: last held on 22 January 2016 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 8, PPP 6, UMP 5, GJP 4, NUP 4, IG 3, GC 3, NAG 3, RMC 3, MPP 2, NIPDP 2, PSP 1, VLDP 1, VNP 1, VNDP 1, VRP 1, independent 4; composition - men 52, women 0; percent of women 0%; note - political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
highest courts: 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
Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES Kalosil]
Iauko Group or IG [Tony NARI]
Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati) or GJP [Ralph REGENVANU]
Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]
Nagriamel movement or NAG [Frankie STEVENS]
Natatok Indigenous People's Democratic Party or (NATATOK) or NIPDP [Alfred Roland CARLOT]
National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]
People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]
People's Service Party or PSP [Don KEN]
Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC [Charlot SALWAI]
Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]
Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]
Vanuatu Democratic Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
Vanuatu Liberal Democratic Party or VLDP [Tapangararua WILLIE]
Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]
Vanuatu National Development Party or VNDP [Robert Bohn SIKOL]
Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Marcellino PIPITE]
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
none; the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy; it is headed by Odo TEVI (since 2014); address: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017; telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303; FAX: [1] (212) 422-2437
the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
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
boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds; national colors: red, black, green, yellow
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
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers. Australia and New Zealand are the main source of tourists and foreign aid. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits.Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center.Since 2002, the government has stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.
$772 million (2017 est.)
$740.9 million (2016 est.)
$716.1 million (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 207
$870 million (2017 est.)
4.2% (2017 est.)
3.5% (2016 est.)
0.2% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$2,700 (2017 est.)
$2,700 (2016 est.)
$2,700 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 196
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.)
agriculture: 27.3% (2017 est.)
industry: 11.8% (2017 est.)
services: 60.8% (2017 est.)
copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
4.5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
115,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (2000 est.)
1.7% (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
NA
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
revenues: 236.7 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 244.1 million (2017 est.)
27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
48.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
46.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
calendar year
3.1% (2017 est.)
0.8% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
20% (31 December 2010)
6% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 6
3.2% (31 December 2017 est.)
2.95% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$424.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$424.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
$494 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$463.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
NA
-$13 million (2017 est.)
-$37 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$44.7 million (2017 est.)
$53.5 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Philippines 23.9%, Australia 16.5%, US 10.4%, Japan 8.8%, Venezuela 8%, France 4.8%, Fiji 4.5%, Hong Kong 4.4% (2017)
copra, beef (veal), cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, coconut oil, shell, cowhides, coconut meal, fish
$273.7 million (2017 est.)
$308.5 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Russia 35.2%, Australia 19.8%, NZ 9.8%, China 6.3%, Fiji 5.5% (2017)
$395.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$200.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$590.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$535.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$22.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$22.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
109.7 (2017 est.)
112.28 (2016 est.)
108.48 (2015 est.)
108.99 (2014 est.)
97.07 (2013 est.)
electrification - total population: 57.8% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 91.4% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 46.4% (2016)
63 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
58.59 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
37,000 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
71% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
1,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
1,073 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
164,800 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
total subscriptions: 3,499
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
total subscriptions: 228,016
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 81 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
general assessment: telecom services have progressed significantly in recent years; mobile phones are now the primary means of communication and more than 92% of the population is covered by a mobile network; 2016 saw the launch of LTE services and the introduction of rural satellite broadband services; mobile phone use in some rural areas is constrained by electricity shortages; investment in fixed broadband saw recent growth with fiber-optic cables; mobile broadband infrastructure also expanded with a reduction in prices; general broadband penetration is at 45% (2018)
domestic: fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 81 per 100 (2018)
international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); 1CN1 submarine cable which resulted in reduction of broadband pricing
1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV is available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; programming from multiple international broadcasters is available
.vu
total: 66,613
percent of population: 24% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
total: 5,841
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2019)
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 287,526 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,510,732mt-km (2015)
YJ (2016)
31 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 114
total: 3 (2013)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 28 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
under 914 m: 21 (2013)
total: 1,070 km (2000)
paved: 256 km (2000)
unpaved: 814 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 177
total: 405
by type: bulk carrier 27, container ship 1, general cargo 35, other 342 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 43
major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France