2019 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. 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.

Area

Land

12,189 sq km

Total

12,189 sq km

Water

0 sq km

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

Highest Point

Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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, 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 and there are several underwater volcanoes as well

Irrigated Land

0 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

15.3% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

1.6% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

10.3% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

3.4% (2011 est.)

Forest

36.1% (2011 est.)

Other

48.6% (2011 est.)

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

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

Natural Resources

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

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

Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Age Structure

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.)

Birth Rate

23.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

10.7% (2013)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

49% (2013)

Current Health Expenditure

3.7% (2016)

Death Rate

4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

7.1 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

14.1 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

68.7 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

61.6 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

92.9% of population

Improved Total

94.5% of population

Improved Urban

98.9% of population

Unimproved Rural

7.1% of population

Unimproved Total

5.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

1.1% of population

Education Expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic Groups

Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

12.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

14.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

13.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

75.7 years

Male

72.4 years

Total Population

74 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

83.8% (2015)

Male

86.6%

Total Population

85.2%

Major Urban Areas Population

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

Maternal Mortality Rate

72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

22.7 years

Male

21.9 years

Total

22.3 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Ni-Vanuatu

Noun

Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

25.2% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

288,037 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.81% (2018 est.)

Religions

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.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

55.4% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

57.9% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

65.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

44.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

42.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

34.9% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

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

At Birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total Population

1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.97 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

11.2% (2009 est.)

Male

10.2%

Total

10.6%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

2.55% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

25.4% of total population (2019)

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)

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

Constitution

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)

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

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Republic of Vanuatu

Conventional Short Form

Vanuatu

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"

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

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

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament

Chief Of State

President Tallis Obed MOSES (since 6 July 2017)

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

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)

Head Of Government

Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI (since 11 February 2016)

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

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Independence

30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)

International Law Organization Participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial Branch

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

Legal System

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

Legislative Branch

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)

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

Elections

last held on 22 January 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Francois Vincent AYSSAV

Name

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

National Holiday

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

National Symbol S

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

Political Parties And Leaders

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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

Expenditures

244.1 million (2017 est.)

Revenues

236.7 million (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

31 December 2009

6%

31 December 2010

20%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

2.95%

31 December 2017

3.2%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$37 million

2017

-$13 million

Debt External

31 December 2016

$182.5 million

31 December 2017

$200.5 million

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 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.

Exchange Rates

2013

97.07

2014

108.99

2015

108.48

2016

112.28

2017

109.7

Currency

vatu (VUV) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$53.5 million

2017

$44.7 million

Exports Commodities

copra, beef (veal), cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, coconut oil, shell, cowhides, coconut meal, fish

Exports Partners

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)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

42.5% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

17.4% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

59.9% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-48.5% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

28.7% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

27.3% (2017 est.)

Industry

11.8% (2017 est.)

Services

60.8% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$870 million (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$2,700

2016

$2,700

2017

$2,700

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$716.1 million

2016

$740.9 million

2017

$772 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

0.2%

2016

3.5%

2017

4.2%

Imports

2016

$308.5 million

2017

$273.7 million

Imports Commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Imports Partners

Russia 35.2%, Australia 19.8%, NZ 9.8%, China 6.3%, Fiji 5.5% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

4.5% (2017 est.)

Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

0.8%

2017

3.1%

Labor Force

115,900 (2007 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

65%

Industry

5%

Services

30% (2000 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

NA

Public Debt

2016

46.1% of GDP

2017

48.4% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$267.4 million

31 December 2017

$395.1 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$379.9 million

31 December 2017

$424.7 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$22.4 million

31 December 2017

$22.3 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$535.9 million

31 December 2017

$590.9 million

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$463.4 million

31 December 2017

$494 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$379.9 million

31 December 2017

$424.7 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

1999

1.7%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

164,800 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification Rural Areas

46.4% (2016)

Electrification Total Population

57.8% (2016)

Electrification Urban Areas

91.4% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

58.59 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

71% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

37,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

63 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

1,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

1,073 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

2 (2017 est.)

Total

5,841

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; programming from multiple international broadcasters is available

Internet Country Code

.vu

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

24% (July 2016 est.)

Total

66,613

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 81 per 100 (2018)

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)

International

country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); 1CN1 submarine cable which resulted in reduction of broadband pricing

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

1 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

3,499

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

81 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

228,016

Airports

31 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1 (2013)

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

1 (2013)

Total

3 (2013)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

914 To 1 523 M

7 (2013)

Total

28 (2013)

Under 914 M

21 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

YJ (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

bulk carrier 27, container ship 1, general cargo 35, other 342 (2018)

Total

405

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

1,510,732 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

287,526 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

6 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

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

Roadways

Paved

256 km (2000)

Total

1,070 km (2000)

Unpaved

814 km (2000)

Military And Security Forces

no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2019)

Disputes International

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France