Vanuatu - Economic Indicators

Economic 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...

Continue reading View Factbook for Vanuatu

GDP Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Real Gross Domestic Product 2017 66,213,000,000 63,361,310,000 NCU Annual
Nominal Gross Domestic Product 2017 91,616,261,638 85,472,070,000 NCU Annual
Private Consumption 2014 48,750,000,000 46,316,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Fixed Investment (gross fixed capital formation) 2014 18,957,000,000 17,267,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Private Consumption 2014 37,779,000,000 36,357,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Government Consumption 2014 9,637,000,000 9,743,000,000 NCU Annual
Government Consumption 2014 11,811,000,000 12,328,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Investment 2014 19,578,000,000 17,873,000,000 NCU Annual
Investment 2014 20,909,000,000 19,648,000,000 NCU Annual
Nominal Fixed Investment (gross fixed capital formation) 2014 20,506,000,000 19,133,000,000 NCU Annual
Price Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2023 Q2 149.45 144.22 2010=100, NSA Quarterly
Labor Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Agriculture Employment 2017 81,077 76,224 # Annual
Labor Force 2016 121,789 118,551 # Annual
Wage & Salaries 2016 9,106,982,000 8,892,981,000 NCU Annual
Trade Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Balance of Goods 2023 Q2 -73,127,460 -74,592,380 USD, NSA Quarterly
Current Account Balance 2023 Q2 15,013,853 -6,100,524 USD, NSA Quarterly
Imports of Goods 2023 Q2 88,531,169 85,253,198 USD, NSA Quarterly
Exports of Goods 2023 Q2 15,403,708 10,660,817 USD, NSA Quarterly
Exports of Goods and Services 2014 38,412,000,000 36,252,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Imports of Goods and Services 2014 35,090,000,000 35,020,000,000 NCU Annual
Real Exports of Goods and Services 2014 29,852,000,000 30,077,000,000 NCU Annual
Imports of Goods and Services 2014 39,073,000,000 38,884,000,000 NCU Annual
Markets Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Money Market Rate Dec 2023 1.75 1.75 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Average Long-term Government Bond Apr 2017 7.58 7.58 % Monthly
Lending Rate Nov 2010 6 6 % - End of period Monthly
Business Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Real Change in Inventories 2014 621,000,000 606,000,000 NCU Annual
Change in Inventories 2014 403,000,000 NCU Annual
Demographics Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Population 2020 307,150 299,882 # Annual
Birth Rate 2016 25.86 26.17 # per Ths. pop. Annual
Death Rate 2016 4.78 4.78 # per Ths. pop. Annual
Net Migration 2012 604 # Annual

Factbook

Background

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.

Geography

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:
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
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:
mean elevation: NA
elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources:
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
agricultural land: 15.3%
arable land 1.6%; permanent crops 10.3%; permanent pasture 3.4%
forest: 36.1%
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:
most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; 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 & Society

Population:
282,814 (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Nationality:
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups:
Ni-Vanuatu 97.6%, part Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 1.3% (2009 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: 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.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio: 68.7
youth dependency ratio: 61.6
elderly dependency ratio: 7.1
potential support ratio: 14.1 (2015 est.)
Median age:
total: 22 years
male: 21.6 years
female: 22.4 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Population growth rate:
1.85% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Birth rate:
24 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Death rate:
4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Net migration rate:
-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
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: 26.8% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization: 3.23% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
PORT-VILA (capital) 53,000 (2014)
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: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio:
78 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Infant mortality rate:
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
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.7 years
male: 72.1 years
female: 75.4 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Total fertility rate:
3.07 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
49% (2013)
Health expenditures:
5% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 139
Physicians density:
0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density:
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2008)
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.)
Sanitation facility access:
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.)
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: 62
Education expenditures:
5.5% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 79
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.2%
male: 86.6%
female: 83.8% (2015 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 10.6%
male: 10.2%
female: 11.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Government

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
Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law
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: 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
Judicial branch:
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
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]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
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:
Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN
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

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):
$787 million (2017 est.)
$753.1 million (2016 est.)
$724.1 million (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 206
GDP (official exchange rate):
$837 million (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2017 est.)
4% (2016 est.)
1.6% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,800 (2017 est.)
$2,700 (2016 est.)
$2,700 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 194
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption: 59.4%
government consumption: 17.9%
investment in fixed capital: 29.1%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 41.8%
imports of goods and services: -48.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 9.1%
services: 63.9% (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: 60
Labor force:
115,900 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.7% (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $202.4 million
expenditures: $206.9 million (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
24.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Public debt:
31.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
25.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2017 est.)
0.9% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Central bank discount rate:
20% (31 December 2010 est.)
6% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.7% (31 December 2017 est.)
2.95% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Stock of narrow money:
$457.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$379.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Stock of broad money:
$716.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$641 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Stock of domestic credit:
$509.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$463.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Current account balance:
$-120 million (2017 est.)
$-30 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Exports:
$43.9 million (2017 est.)
$53.5 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Exports - commodities:
copra, beef (veal), cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, coconut oil, shell, cowhides, coconut meal, fish
Exports - partners:
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)
Imports:
$249.9 million (2017 est.)
$308.5 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
Imports - partners:
Australia 27.8%, NZ 17.6%, China 10.5%, France 10%, Singapore 6.1%, Thailand 4.8% (2016)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$288.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Debt - external:
$185.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
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: 122
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: 111
Exchange rates:
vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
109.7 (2017 est.)
108.48 (2016 est.)
108.48 (2015 est.)
108.99 (2014 est.)
97.07 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:
population without electricity: 202,614
electrification - total population: 27%
electrification - urban areas: 55%
electrification - rural areas: 18% (2012)
Electricity - production:
55 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - consumption:
51.15 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
33,000 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
81.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
18.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,008 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
200,000 Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions: 4,555
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total: 218,603
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Telephone system:
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)
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 (2008)
Internet country code:
.vu
Internet users:
total: 66,613
percent of population: 24.0% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Transportation

National air transport system:
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)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
YJ (2016)
Airports:
31 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 114
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 21 (2013)
Roadways:
total: 1,070 km
paved: 256 km
unpaved: 814 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 185
Merchant marine:
total: 421
by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 27, other 371 (2017)
country comparison to the world: 44
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila

Military & Security

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France

Economic Indicators for Vanuatu including actual values, historical data, and latest data updates for the Vanuatu economy.