Background: Austronesian speakers from the Solomon Islands first settled Vanuatu around 2000 B.C. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. Around 1600, Melanesian Chief ROI MATA united some of the islands of modern-day Vanuatu under his rule. In 1606, a Portuguese explorer was the first European to see Vanuatu's Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and the islands -- then known as the New Hebrides -- were frequented by whalers in the 1800s. European interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict with the inhabitants. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males on the islands to work as indentured servants. With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the UK-France condominium to jointly administer the islands, with separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional, and the UK used France’s initial defeat in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. During the war, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu. In 1945, they withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious movements known as 'cargo cults,' such as the John Frum movement. The UK-France condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant. Political parties agitating for independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented, and elections were held in 1974, with independence granted to the newly named Vanuatu in 1980 under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. The Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, then declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent from Vanuatu, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time, but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted more than a dozen times through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues.

Area
Total: 12,189 km²
Land: 12,189 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
Comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries
Total: 0 km

Coastline: 2,528 km

Maritime claims
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
Note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

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

Terrain: mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Elevation
Highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 15.3% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 10.3% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 3.4% (2023 est.)
Forest: 74.8% (2023 est.)
Other: 9.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 km² (2022)

Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic activity; 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

Geography
Note: a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes, including several underwater volcanoes

Population
Total: 318,007 (2024 est.)
Male: 157,932
Female: 160,075
Distribution: three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace
Growth rate: 1.55% (2024 est.)

Languages: indigenous languages (more than 100) 82.6%, Bislama (official; creole) 14.5%, English (official) 2.1%, French (official) 0.8% (2020 est.)
Note: data represent first language spoken for population aged 3 years and above

Religions: Protestant 39.9% (Presbyterian 27.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 14.8%, Anglican 12%, Churches of Christ 5%, Assemblies of God 4.9%, Neil Thomas Ministry/Inner Life Ministry 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.1%, Apostolic 2.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.8%, customary beliefs (including Jon Frum cargo cult) 3.1%, other 12%, none 1.4%, unspecified 0.1% (2020 est.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 31.1% (male 50,584/female 48,475)
15-64 years: 63.8% (male 99,496/female 103,425)
65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 7,852/female 8,175)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 56.7 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 48.8 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 7.9 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 12.7 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 24.6 years (2024 est.)
Male: 24.1 years
Female: 25 years

Population growth rate: 1.55% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 20.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace

Urbanization
Urban population: 26% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 100 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 15 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.)
Male: 74 years
Female: 77.4 years

Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 11.4% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 8.7% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 6% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 33.1% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 26.1% of population (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 5.1% (2024 est.); 5.1% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Capital
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)
Etymology: the local name of Vila is sometimes used alone for the the port town; its meaning is unknown

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Legal system: mixed system of English common law, French law, and customary law

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)
Head of government: Prime Minister Jotham NAPAT (since 11 February 2025)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament
Election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; national president serves a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition (who must also be a member of Parliament) as prime minister
Most recent election date: 23 July 2022
Election results: 2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes
Expected date of next election: 2,027
Note: the National Council of Chiefs (Malvatu Mauri) is a formal advisory body of chiefs recognized by the country's constitution; it advises the government on matters of culture and language

Legislative branch
Legislature name: Parliament
Legislative structure: unicameral
Number of seats: 52 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 4 years
Most recent election date: 1/16/2025
Parties elected and seats per party: Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) (9); Vanua'aku Pati (VP) (7); Iauko Group (IG) (6); Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) (6); Rural Development Party (RDP) (6); Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP) (5); Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) (5); Other (8)
Percentage of women in chamber: 1.9%
Expected date of next election: January 2,029

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the left side); a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal 'Y' faces the left side and encloses the triangle; a boar's tusk in the triangle circles two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow

National anthem
Title: 'Yumi, Yumi, Yumi' (We, We, We)
Lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
History: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in the native Bislama

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: 4% (2024 est.); -1% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 4% (2024 est.); -1% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 77.2% (2022 est.)
Government consumption: 23.9% (2022 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 38.8% (2022 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0.4% (2022 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 9.6% (2022 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -55.5% (2022 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 24.9% (2022 est.)
Industry: 7.5% (2022 est.)
Services: 60.4% (2022 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Industrial production growth rate: -19.7% (2022 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 118,100 (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2024 est.); 5.1% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 5.1% (2024 est.); 5.1% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $386.577 million (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $378.659 million (2023 est.)
Note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 17.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $152.087 million (2022 est.); $82.08 million (2021 est.); $132.943 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: fish, ships, perfume plants, wood, copra (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $579.347 million (2022 est.); $520.391 million (2021 est.); $438.373 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, ships, plastic products, poultry, trucks (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 39,000 kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 74.766 million kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 5.264 million kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 70% (2022 est.)
Access electrification - urban areas: 97%
Access electrification - rural areas: 60.7%
Generation sources fossil fuels: 74.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 8.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 292,000 metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 292,000 metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 12.934 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 3,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 256,000 (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 78 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 46% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 4,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.)

Airports: 31 (2025)

Merchant marine
Total: 338 (2023)
By type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 3, general cargo 101, other 223