2010 Edition

Background

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.

Area

land

12,189 sq km

total

12,189 sq km

water

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

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut

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

Coastline

2,528 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Tabwemasana 1,877 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Geography - note

a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

1.64%

other

91.39% (2005)

permanent crops

6.97%

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

volcanism

Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity, with many volcanoes erupting in recent years; Yasur (elev. 361 m, 1,184 ft), 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

Natural resources

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.7% (male 34,263/female 32,833) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 72,670/female 69,970) 65 years and over: 4% (male 4,516/female 4,267) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

21.08 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

7.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

45.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

50.65 deaths/1,000 live births

total

48.17 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English (official) 1.9%, French (official) 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)

Life expectancy at birth

female

66.04 years (2010 est.)

male

62.7 years

total population

64.33 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA (1999 census)

male

NA

total population

74%

Median age

female

24.6 years (2010 est.)

male

24.5 years

total

24.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Ni-Vanuatu

noun

Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

221,552 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.359% (2010 est.)

Religions

Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

10 years (2004)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.04 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

25% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

geographic coordinates

17 44 S, 168 19 E

name

Port-Vila (on Efate)

time difference

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

Constitution

30 July 1980

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Vanuatu

conventional short form

Vanuatu

former

New Hebrides

local long form

Ripablik blong Vanuatu

local short form

Vanuatu

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu

Diplomatic representation in the US

Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Iolu Johnson ABBIL (since 3 September 2009)

election results

Iolu Johnson ABBIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009

elections

president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held on 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); 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 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012)

head of government

Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 2 December 2010); note - Edward NATAPEI loses office in a no confidence vote on 2 December 2010

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, 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

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)

Legal system

unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language

elections

last held on 2 September 2008 (next to be held in 2012)

National anthem

lyrics/music

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

name

"Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Political parties and leaders

Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People's Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2009) 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2009 est.) 5.29% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$60 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$81.2 million (2004)

Economy - overview

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 nearly 197,000 visitors in 2008, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. 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. In mid-2002, the government 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. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.

Electricity - consumption

39.06 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

42 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

vatu (VUV) per US dollar - 97.93 (2009), NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003)

Exports

$40 million (2006)

Exports - commodities

copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee

Exports - partners

Thailand 53.15%, Japan 12.22%, Poland 11.78% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

26%

industry

12%

services

62% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,500 (2010 est.) $5,300 (2009 est.) $5,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2010 est.) 3.8% (2009 est.) 6.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$721 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.216 billion (2010 est.) $1.168 billion (2009 est.) $1.126 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$156 million (2006)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Imports - partners

Japan 17.3%, Australia 13.46%, China 12.26%, Singapore 12%, NZ 6.88%, Poland 6.61%, France 5.86%, Fiji 5.52% (2009)

Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.9% (2007 est.)

Labor force

115,900 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

65%

industry

5%

services

30% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

654 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$40.54 million (2003)

Stock of broad money

$614.2 million (31 December 2009) $531.6 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit

$274 million (31 December 2008 est.) $229.5 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$229.2 million (31 December 2009) $177.7 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate

1.7% (1999)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned television 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 accessible (2008)

Internet country code

.vu

Internet hosts

1,347 (2010)

Internet users

17,000 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

general assessment

NA

international

country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

7,200 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

126,500 (2009)

Airports

31 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

28 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 23 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 35, cargo 5, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 26, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned

70 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, Canada 5, Greece 4, Japan 44, Monaco 1, Norway 1, Poland 7, Russia 1, UAE 1, Ukraine 3) (2010)

total

72

Ports and terminals

Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila

Roadways

paved

256 km

total

1,070 km

unpaved

814 km (1999)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 61,178 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 42,450 females age 16-49: 43,894 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

2,249 (2010 est.)

male

2,346

Military branches

no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009)

Military expenditures

NA

Disputes - international

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France page last updated on January 20, 2011 ======================================================================