Australia-Oceania :: VANUATU

  • Introduction :: VANUATU

  • 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.

  • Geography :: VANUATU

  • 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
    measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    contiguous zone: 24 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
    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
    mean elevation: NA
    elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
    manganese, hardwood forests, fish
    agricultural land: 15.3%
    arable land 1.6%; permanent crops 10.3%; permanent pasture 3.4%
    forest: 36.1%
    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
    most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; 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

  • People and Society :: VANUATU

  • 282,814 (July 2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
    adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
    Ni-Vanuatu 97.6%, part Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 1.3% (2009 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: 35.51% (male 51,261/female 49,157)
    15-24 years: 20.02% (male 28,110/female 28,514)
    25-54 years: 35.06% (male 48,476/female 50,675)
    55-64 years: 5.42% (male 7,646/female 7,677)
    65 years and over: 3.99% (male 5,713/female 5,585) (2017 est.)
    total dependency ratio: 68.7
    youth dependency ratio: 61.6
    elderly dependency ratio: 7.1
    potential support ratio: 14.1 (2015 est.)
    total: 22 years
    male: 21.6 years
    female: 22.4 years (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 179
    1.85% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 54
    24 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 57
    4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 210
    -1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 148
    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: 26.8% of total population (2017)
    rate of urbanization: 3.23% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
    PORT-VILA (capital) 53,000 (2014)
    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: 1 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
    78 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 81
    total: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 103
    total population: 73.7 years
    male: 72.1 years
    female: 75.4 years (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 131
    3.07 children born/woman (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 52
    49% (2013)
    5% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 139
    0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
    1.8 beds/1,000 population (2008)
    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.)
    improved:
    urban: 65.1% of population
    rural: 55.4% of population
    total: 57.9% of population
    unimproved:
    urban: 34.9% of population
    rural: 44.6% of population
    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: 62
    4.9% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 79
    definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 85.2%
    male: 86.6%
    female: 83.8% (2015 est.)
    total: 10.6%
    male: 10.2%
    female: 11.2% (2009 est.)

  • Government :: VANUATU

  • 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)
    effective 30 July 1980; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)
    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 September 2014 (next to be held in 2019); 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: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
    note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
    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, VPDP 1, VRP 1, and independent 4; note - political party associations are fluid
    highest court(s): 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 are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges appointed until 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]
    NA
    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
    Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN
    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

  • Economy :: VANUATU

  • 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 350,000 visitors in 2016, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and 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.
    $740 million (2016 est.)
    $703 million (2015 est.)
    $684 million (2014 est.)
    note: data are in 2016 dollars
    country comparison to the world: 206
    $807 million (2016 est.)
    4% (2016 est.)
    1.6% (2015 est.)
    2.3% (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 62
    $2,700 (2016 est.)
    $2,600 (2015 est.)
    $2,700 (2014 est.)
    note: data are in 2016 dollars
    country comparison to the world: 195
    household consumption: 59.7%
    government consumption: 17.6%
    investment in fixed capital: 29%
    investment in inventories: 1%
    exports of goods and services: 40.7%
    imports of goods and services: -48% (2016 est.)
    agriculture: 26.9%
    industry: 9%
    services: 64.2% (2016 est.)
    copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
    food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
    4% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 58
    115,900 (2007 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 183
    agriculture: 65%
    industry: 5%
    services: 30% (2000 est.)
    1.7% (1999 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 11
    NA%
    lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    revenues: $205.6 million
    expenditures: $201 million (2016 est.)
    26.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 107
    0.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 33
    31.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
    25.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 158
    calendar year
    0.9% (2016 est.)
    2.4% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 80
    20% (31 December 2010)
    6% (31 December 2009)
    country comparison to the world: 6
    2.95% (31 December 2016 est.)
    3.63% (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 168
    $379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $320.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 172
    $641 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $588.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 178
    $463.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $477 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    $NA
    $-30 million (2016 est.)
    $-82.1 million (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 72
    $53.5 million (2016 est.)
    $38.8 million (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 203
    copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
    Ecuador 18.4%, Australia 13.8%, Venezuela 10.1%, US 9.8%, Japan 8.2%, UK 6.7%, France 5.7%, Hong Kong 5.2% (2016)
    $308.5 million (2016 est.)
    $307.9 million (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 200
    machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
    Australia 27.8%, NZ 17.6%, China 10.5%, France 10%, Singapore 6.1%, Thailand 4.8% (2016)
    $267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $269.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 155
    $182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $170.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    $535.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $500.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 122
    $22.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    $22.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 109
    vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
    108.48 (2016 est.)
    108.48 (2015 est.)
    108.99 (2014 est.)
    97.07 (2013 est.)
    92.64 (2012 est.)

  • Energy :: VANUATU

  • population without electricity: 202,614
    electrification - total population: 27%
    electrification - urban areas: 55%
    electrification - rural areas: 18% (2012)
    55 million kWh (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 205
    51.15 million kWh (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 203
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 180
    33,000 kW (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 201
    81.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 83
    0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 153
    0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 193
    18.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 36
    0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 171
    0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 171
    0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)
    country comparison to the world: 175
    0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    1,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 205
    0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 185
    1,008 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 200
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 216
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 158
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 164
    0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
    country comparison to the world: 179
    200,000 Mt (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 199

  • Communications :: VANUATU

  • total subscriptions: 4,267
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 207
    total: 192,167
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 69 (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 183
    general assessment: telecom services have progressed significantly in recent years; mobile phones are now the primary means of communication and more than 90% of the population is covered by a mobile network
    domestic: 2016 saw the launch of LTE services by Digicel and the introduction of rural satellite broadband services by Kacific; mobile phone use in some rural areas is constrained by electricity shortages
    international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2016)
    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 (2008)
    .vu
    total: 66,613
    percent of population: 24.0% (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 194

  • Transportation :: VANUATU

  • number of registered air carriers: 1
    inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
    annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 287,526
    annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,510,732 mt-km (2015)
    YJ (2016)
    31 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 114
    total: 3
    2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
    914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
    total: 28
    914 to 1,523 m: 7
    under 914 m: 21 (2013)
    total: 1,070 km
    paved: 256 km
    unpaved: 814 km (2000)
    country comparison to the world: 185
    total: 77
    by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 8, chemical tanker 2, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 24, vehicle carrier 1
    foreign-owned: 72 (Belgium 1, Canada 5, China 1, Greece 3, Japan 39, Norway 1, Poland 9, Russia 7, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UAE 1, US 2) (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 59
    major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila

  • Military and Security :: VANUATU

  • no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2013)

  • Transnational Issues :: VANUATU

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