Australia - Oceania :: Vanuatu
  • Introduction :: Vanuatu
  • 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.
  • Geography :: Vanuatu
  • Location:
    Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
    Geographic coordinates:
    16 00 S, 167 00 E
    Map references:
    Oceania
    Area:
    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
    Area - comparative:
    slightly larger than Connecticut
    Land boundaries:
    0 km
    Coastline:
    2,528 km
    Maritime claims:
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    contiguous zone: 24 nm
    continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
    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:
    lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
    Natural resources:
    manganese, hardwood forests, fish
    Land use:
    agricultural land: 15.3% (2011 est.)
    arable land: 1.6% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 10.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 3.4% (2011 est.)
    forest: 36.1% (2011 est.)
    other: 48.6% (2011 est.)
    Irrigated land:
    0 sq km (2012)
    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
    Natural hazards:

    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

    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
    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
  • People and Society :: Vanuatu
  • Population:
    288,037 (July 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Nationality:
    noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
    adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
    Ethnic groups:
    Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 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.)
    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.)
    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.)
    population pyramid: population pyramid
    Dependency ratios:
    total dependency ratio: 68.7 (2015 est.)
    youth dependency ratio: 61.6 (2015 est.)
    elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 (2015 est.)
    potential support ratio: 14.1 (2015 est.)
    Median age:
    total: 22.3 years (2018 est.)
    male: 21.9 years
    female: 22.7 years
    country comparison to the world: 180
    Population growth rate:
    1.81% (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 55
    Birth rate:
    23.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 57
    Death rate:
    4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 211
    Net migration rate:
    -1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 152
    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
    Urbanization:
    urban population: 25.4% of total population (2019)
    rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2015-20 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
    15-24 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
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
    Maternal mortality rate:
    72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 82
    Infant mortality rate:
    total: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
    male: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births
    country comparison to the world: 102
    Life expectancy at birth:
    total population: 74 years (2018 est.)
    male: 72.4 years
    female: 75.7 years
    country comparison to the world: 130
    Total fertility rate:
    2.97 children born/woman (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 55
    Contraceptive prevalence rate:
    49% (2013)
    Drinking water source:
    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.)
    Current Health Expenditure:
    3.7% (2016)
    Physicians density:
    0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
    Hospital bed density:
    Sanitation facility access:
    improved: urban: 65.1% of population (2015 est.)
    rural: 55.4% of population (2015 est.)
    total: 57.9% of population (2015 est.)
    unimproved: urban: 34.9% of population (2015 est.)
    rural: 44.6% of population (2015 est.)
    total: 42.1% of population (2015 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - deaths:
    NA
    Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
    25.2% (2016)
    country comparison to the world: 52
    Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
    10.7% (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 59
    Education expenditures:
    4.7% of GDP (2017)
    country comparison to the world: 81
    Literacy:
    definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 85.2%
    male: 86.6%
    female: 83.8% (2015)
    Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
    total: 10.6%
    male: 10.2%
    female: 11.2% (2009 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 124
  • Government :: Vanuatu
  • Country name:
    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"
    Government type:
    parliamentary republic
    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)
    Administrative divisions:
    6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
    Independence:
    30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
    National holiday:
    Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
    Constitution:
    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
    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)
    International law organization participation:
    has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
    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
    Suffrage:
    18 years of age; universal
    Executive branch:
    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 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)
    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
    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)

    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, VNDP 1, VRP 1, independent 4; composition - men 52, women 0; percent of women 0%; note - political party associations are fluid

    note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language

    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
    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]
    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
    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
    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
    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

    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

    National symbol(s):
    boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds; national colors: red, black, green, yellow
    National anthem:
    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
  • 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.

    GDP (purchasing power parity):
    $772 million (2017 est.)
    $740.9 million (2016 est.)
    $716.1 million (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 207
    GDP (official exchange rate):
    $870 million (2017 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate:
    4.2% (2017 est.)
    3.5% (2016 est.)
    0.2% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 73
    GDP - per capita (PPP):
    $2,700 (2017 est.)
    $2,700 (2016 est.)
    $2,700 (2015 est.)

    note: data are in 2017 dollars

    country comparison to the world: 196
    GDP - composition, by end use:
    household consumption: 59.9% (2017 est.)
    government consumption: 17.4% (2017 est.)
    investment in fixed capital: 28.7% (2017 est.)
    investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
    exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.)
    imports of goods and services: -48.5% (2017 est.)
    GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
    agriculture: 27.3% (2017 est.)
    industry: 11.8% (2017 est.)
    services: 60.8% (2017 est.)
    Agriculture - products:
    copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; fish
    Industries:
    food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
    Industrial production growth rate:
    4.5% (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 68
    Labor force:
    115,900 (2007 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Labor force - by occupation:
    agriculture: 65%
    industry: 5%
    services: 30% (2000 est.)
    Unemployment rate:
    1.7% (1999 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 16
    Population below poverty line:
    NA
    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
    lowest 10%: NA
    highest 10%: NA
    Budget:
    revenues: 236.7 million (2017 est.)
    expenditures: 244.1 million (2017 est.)
    Taxes and other revenues:
    27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 102
    Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
    -0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 73
    Public debt:
    48.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
    46.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 107
    Fiscal year:
    calendar year
    Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    3.1% (2017 est.)
    0.8% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 134
    Central bank discount rate:
    20% (31 December 2010)
    6% (31 December 2009)
    country comparison to the world: 6
    Commercial bank prime lending rate:
    3.2% (31 December 2017 est.)
    2.95% (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 173
    Stock of narrow money:
    $424.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 173
    Stock of broad money:
    $424.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    Stock of domestic credit:
    $494 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $463.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 178
    Market value of publicly traded shares:

    NA

    Current account balance:
    -$13 million (2017 est.)
    -$37 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 70
    Exports:
    $44.7 million (2017 est.)
    $53.5 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    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)
    Exports - commodities:
    copra, beef (veal), cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, coconut oil, shell, cowhides, coconut meal, fish
    Imports:
    $273.7 million (2017 est.)
    $308.5 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 207
    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)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
    $395.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 160
    Debt - external:
    $200.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 188
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
    $590.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $535.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 127
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
    $22.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
    $22.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 116
    Exchange rates:
    vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
    109.7 (2017 est.)
    112.28 (2016 est.)
    108.48 (2015 est.)
    108.99 (2014 est.)
    97.07 (2013 est.)
  • Energy :: Vanuatu
  • Electricity access:
    electrification - total population: 57.8% (2016)
    electrification - urban areas: 91.4% (2016)
    electrification - rural areas: 46.4% (2016)
    Electricity - production:
    63 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    Electricity - consumption:
    58.59 million kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    Electricity - exports:
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 214
    Electricity - imports:
    0 kWh (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 215
    Electricity - installed generating capacity:
    37,000 kW (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 199
    Electricity - from fossil fuels:
    71% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 107
    Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 207
    Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
    0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 211
    Electricity - from other renewable sources:
    29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 21
    Crude oil - production:
    0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 214
    Crude oil - exports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 213
    Crude oil - imports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 211
    Crude oil - proved reserves:
    0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 210
    Refined petroleum products - production:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 213
    Refined petroleum products - consumption:
    1,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 205
    Refined petroleum products - exports:
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 215
    Refined petroleum products - imports:
    1,073 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 201
    Natural gas - production:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 212
    Natural gas - consumption:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 211
    Natural gas - exports:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 208
    Natural gas - imports:
    0 cu m (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 208
    Natural gas - proved reserves:
    0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 205
    Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
    164,800 Mt (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 203
  • Communications :: Vanuatu
  • Telephones - fixed lines:
    total subscriptions: 3,499
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 207
    Telephones - mobile cellular:
    total subscriptions: 228,016
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 81 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 180
    Telephone system:
    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)
    domestic: fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 81 per 100 (2018)
    international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); 1CN1 submarine cable which resulted in reduction of broadband pricing
    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:
    total: 66,613
    percent of population: 24% (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
    total: 5,841
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2017 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 175
  • Military and Security :: Vanuatu
  • Military and security forces:
    no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2019)
  • Transportation :: Vanuatu
  • National air transport system:
    number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
    inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 (2015)
    annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 287,526 (2015)
    annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,510,732 mt-km (2015)
    Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
    YJ (2016)
    Airports:
    31 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 114
    Airports - with paved runways:
    total: 3 (2013)
    2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
    914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
    Airports - with unpaved runways:
    total: 28 (2013)
    914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
    under 914 m: 21 (2013)
    Roadways:
    total: 1,070 km (2000)
    paved: 256 km (2000)
    unpaved: 814 km (2000)
    country comparison to the world: 177
    Merchant marine:
    total: 405
    by type: bulk carrier 27, container ship 1, general cargo 35, other 342 (2018)
    country comparison to the world: 43
    Ports and terminals:
    major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila
  • Transnational Issues :: Vanuatu
  • Disputes - international:

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