Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic located in the Melanesian subregion of Oceania, comprising an archipelago of approximately 80 islands. Recent estimates place the population at approximately 343,000 people, with a current GDP per capita of 3,475 USD.
Where is Vanuatu?
Vanuatu
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- Vanuatu
- Coordinates
- -16.00°, 167.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 342.9K
- Area
- 12,189 km²
- Density per km²
- 28 / km²
- Growth rate
- +2.27%
- Annual growth
- +7.8K people
- Daily growth
- +21.36 people
- World population share
- 0.00%
Population Trend
Historical series from 1960 to 2026
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Vanuatu
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Port Vila
- Region
- Oceania
- Area
- 12,189 km²
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu (Vt)
- Timezones
- UTC+11:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and offshore financial services, with a total GDP of approximately 1.12 billion USD. Current data indicates an annual GDP growth rate of 0.94% and an unemployment rate of 5.1%. In terms of GDP per capita, the nation ranks 153 of 212 globally and 16 of 19 within the Oceania region. The labor market is characterized by a high reliance on subsistence farming, which supports a large portion of the rural Ni-Vanuatu population.
Society
Social indicators show a life expectancy at birth of 71.7 years, which ranks 139 of 215 globally. The adult literacy rate is 88%, placing the country at rank 107 of 170 in international comparisons. Approximately 45.7% of the population uses the internet, ranking 169 of 212 globally. While Bislama is the national language and lingua franca, English and French are also official languages used in government and education.
Climate & Environment
Vanuatu features a tropical maritime climate with distinct wet and dry seasons and average temperatures ranging from 20 °C (68 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F). The archipelago is situated within the Pacific volcanic arc, making it prone to seismic activity and frequent tropical cyclones. These environmental factors significantly influence local agriculture and infrastructure development across the diverse islands.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1980-07-30 (France and the United Kingdom)
Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic where executive power is divided between a head of state and a head of government. The president, whose role is primarily ceremonial, is elected for a 5-year term by an electoral college consisting of members of Parliament and the presidents of the six provincial councils. The prime minister is the head of government, elected by a majority vote of the unicameral Parliament. This 52-member legislature is elected every four years through a multi-seat constituency system. A unique and vital feature of the political system is the Malvatumauri, or National Council of Chiefs, which is composed of traditional leaders elected by their peers. This council advises the government on matters regarding ni-Vanuatu culture, the Bislama language, and customary land tenure. The legal system is a distinctive blend of English common law, French law, and indigenous customary law.
History
The history of Vanuatu begins with the Lapita culture, which settled the islands more than 3,000 years ago. European contact started in May 1606 when Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós reached Espiritu Santo. However, it was not until the visits of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville in 1768 and Captain James Cook in 1774—who named the archipelago the New Hebrides—that European influence intensified. During the 19th century, the islands suffered from 'blackbirding,' a practice where thousands of ni-Vanuatu were forcibly taken to work on plantations in Australia and Fiji. In 1906, the United Kingdom and France established the Anglo-French Condominium, a unique and often inefficient joint administration frequently mocked as the 'Pandemonium' because it maintained two separate legal, educational, and linguistic systems. Following a rise in indigenous nationalism led by figures like Walter Lini and the Vanua'aku Pati, the nation achieved independence on 30 July 1980. This transition was marked by a brief secessionist uprising on Espiritu Santo known as the Coconut War. Since independence, Vanuatu has focused on maintaining political stability through coalition governments and has become a global advocate for climate justice and indigenous rights.
Notable Facts
- The country is home to Mount Yasur on Tanna Island, which is widely considered the most accessible active volcano in the world, allowing visitors to stand on the crater rim.
- Pentecost Island is the birthplace of the Nagol, or land diving ritual, a traditional precursor to modern bungee jumping where men leap from tall wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles.
- With over 100 indigenous languages spoken across its islands, Vanuatu has one of the highest levels of linguistic density per capita in the world.
- Near Hideaway Island, the nation hosts the world's only underwater post office, where divers and snorkelers can mail specialized waterproof postcards.
- Mount Tabwemasana on the island of Espiritu Santo is the highest point in the archipelago, reaching an elevation of 1,877 m (6,158 ft) above the Pacific Ocean.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mount Tabwemasana (1,877 m)
- Lowest Point
- Pacific Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 2,528 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in VanuatuExplore weather and climate data for cities in Vanuatu
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Port Vila
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 26°C | 32°C / 28°C | 22days (291 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| February | 28°C / 26°C | 32°C / 29°C | 19days (324 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 83% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| March | 27°C / 26°C | 31°C / 28°C | 23days (364 mm) Wet | 9.5h Good | 83% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| April | 27°C / 26°C | 31°C / 28°C | 20days (204 mm) Wet | 9.6h Good | 81% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| May | 26°C / 25°C | 27°C / 25°C | 12days (150 mm) Wet | 9.5h Good | 77% Humid | Good | View Details |
| June best | 25°C / 24°C | 26°C / 24°C | 11days (115 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 76% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 25°C / 24°C | 25°C / 23°C | 10days (69 mm) Wet | 9h Good | 76% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 25°C / 23°C | 25°C / 22°C | 13days (89 mm) Wet | 9.6h Good | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 25°C / 24°C | 25°C / 23°C | 10days (46 mm) Wet | 10.4h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| October best | 25°C / 24°C | 27°C / 25°C | 14days (172 mm) Wet | 10.5h Excellent | 80% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| November | 26°C / 25°C | 29°C / 26°C | 15days (150 mm) Wet | 11.7h Excellent | 80% Humid | Good | View Details |
| December | 27°C / 26°C | 31°C / 28°C | 17days (151 mm) Wet | 11.4h Excellent | 80% Humid | Fair | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 27°C / 26°C . Feb: 28°C / 26°C . Mar: 27°C / 26°C . Apr: 27°C / 26°C . May: 26°C / 25°C . Jun: 25°C / 24°C . Jul: 25°C / 24°C . Aug: 25°C / 23°C . Sep: 25°C / 24°C . Oct: 25°C / 24°C . Nov: 26°C / 25°C . Dec: 27°C / 26°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 291 mm. Feb: 324 mm. Mar: 364 mm. Apr: 204 mm. May: 150 mm. Jun: 115 mm. Jul: 69 mm. Aug: 89 mm. Sep: 46 mm. Oct: 172 mm. Nov: 150 mm. Dec: 151 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Vanuatu is approximately 342.9K (2024).
The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila.
Vanuatu's GDP per capita is $3.5K (2024).
Life expectancy in Vanuatu is 71.65 years (2024).
Vanuatu covers 12,189 km² (4,706 sq mi).
Vanuatu is sparsely populated, averaging 28 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Vanuatu's population is growing rapidly at 2.3% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Vanuatu falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $3.5K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Vanuatu reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.
Vanuatu has 3 official languages: Bislama, English, French.
Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (Vt) as its sole official currency.
Vanuatu is an island nation and shares no land borders.
The best months to visit Vanuatu are June, July, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.
Recent estimates show that the population of Vanuatu is approximately 343,000 people. According to the latest available data, the country holds a population rank of 176 of 215 globally. It is the 6th most populous nation in the Oceania region and ranks 4 of 5 within the Melanesian subregion.
The current estimated GDP per capita in Vanuatu is 3,475 USD, based on recent economic projections. This figure places the nation at rank 153 of 212 globally. Regionally, Vanuatu ranks 16 of 19 in Oceania and 3 of 5 in the Melanesian subregion for this economic indicator.
Vanuatu has three official languages: Bislama, English, and French. Bislama is an English-based Melanesian pidgin that serves as the national language and lingua franca across the diverse archipelago. English and French are also used widely in government, education, and professional settings throughout the islands.
The adult literacy rate in Vanuatu is 88%, according to recent educational data. This places the country at rank 107 of 170 globally in terms of the percentage of the adult population that can read and write. Educational access remains a core focus for development in the Melanesian nation.
The unemployment rate in Vanuatu is estimated at 5.1%, which is relatively low compared to many global peers. In terms of lowest unemployment, the country ranks 97 of 186 globally. A large portion of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and the informal economy.
Vanuatu holds a global population rank of 176th out of 215 countries and territories. In its regional context, it ranks 6th out of 19 countries in Oceania and 4th out of 5 in the Melanesia subregion. The country remains a significant mid-sized nation within the context of Pacific Island states.
The current population density in Vanuatu is an estimated 28.1 people per km² (72.8 per sq mi). This ranks the nation 178th globally and 15th within Oceania for density. Most people are concentrated on the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo, while many smaller islands remain very sparsely populated.
The population of Vanuatu is growing rapidly, with an annual growth rate of approximately 2.27%. Latest estimates show a net increase of 20 people per day, resulting from 25 daily births against only 5 daily deaths. This growth is one of the highest in the Melanesian subregion and Oceania.
The current fertility rate in Vanuatu is 3.569 births per woman, which ranks 42nd highest in the world. This rate is significantly higher than the global replacement level, indicating that the average family remains large. This high fertility is the primary driver behind the country's consistent annual population growth.
Vanuatu has an urban population percentage of 22.3%, meaning the vast majority of people live in rural areas. It ranks 207th out of 215 countries for urbanization, making it one of the least urbanized nations globally. Most urban residents live in Port Vila, the capital, or Luganville.
All Indicators
Explore Vanuatu's data across 50+ indicators
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