Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu is an archipelagic nation in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of over 80 islands arranged in a Y-shaped chain extending approximately 1,300 kilometres. Positioned about three-quarters of the way from Hawai‘i to Australia, it embodies a distinctive blend of Melanesian cultural traditions and Anglo-French colonial legacies. Modern Vanuatu balances a predominantly rural, subsistence-based economy with an expanding service sector centred on tourism, trade, and administration, while contending with the challenges of climate vulnerability, political fluidity, and sustainable development.

Background and Historical Context

Settlement of the islands began around 2000 B.C., when Austronesian-speaking peoples migrated southward from the Solomon Islands. By approximately A.D. 1000, chiefly systems had developed across the archipelago, culminating in the seventeenth-century unification under Chief Roi Mata, whose domain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolises early political cohesion and cultural sophistication.
European exploration began in 1606, when the Spanish expedition of Pedro Fernández de Quirós sighted the Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, establishing a short-lived colony. In the late eighteenth century, Captain James Cook renamed the islands the New Hebrides, marking their entry into global trade networks. During the nineteenth century, the islands became involved in the sandalwood trade, whaling, and “blackbirding”, the coercive recruitment of islanders for plantation labour in Australia, Fiji, and elsewhere.
To manage competing imperial claims, France and the United Kingdom declared the islands a neutral zone in 1878 and established the Anglo-French Condominium in 1906, a rare arrangement featuring parallel administrations, police forces, and legal systems. Although providing nominal joint rule, the dual authority often produced inefficiency and legal confusion.
During World War II, up to 50,000 American troops were stationed in Vanuatu, particularly on Espiritu Santo, spurring economic activity and the emergence of cargo cults such as the John Frum movement, which persists as a syncretic cultural practice.
Following increasing pressure for self-determination, the Vanua’aku Pati, an Anglophone independence movement, led the islands to independence on 30 July 1980 under Prime Minister Walter Lini. A short-lived secessionist uprising on Espiritu Santo was quickly quelled. Since independence, the country’s politics have been marked by multi-party coalitions, frequent motions of no confidence, and gradual reconciliation of Anglophone–Francophone divides.

Geography and Environment

Vanuatu covers 12,189 square kilometres of land with a coastline of 2,528 kilometres. The islands are volcanic and mountainous, featuring fertile soils on coastal plains and valleys. The highest peak, Mount Tabwemasana (1,877 m) on Espiritu Santo, dominates the terrain.
The climate is tropical, moderated by southeast trade winds (May–October) and a humid wet season (November–April). The country faces frequent tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions—notably from Mount Yasur on Tanna, one of the world’s most continuously active volcanoes. Other active sites include Ambrym, Aoba (Ambae), Gaua, and Lopevi.
Land use (2022):

• Arable land: 1.6%
• Permanent crops: 10.3%
• Pasture: 3.4%
• Forest: 36.3%

Freshwater availability is estimated at 10 billion m³, yet deforestation, soil erosion, and limited sanitation continue to pose environmental challenges. Vanuatu is party to major global treaties including the Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity, and Law of the Sea Convention.
Annual municipal waste generation is about 70,200 tonnes, with an estimated recycling rate of 52.9%.

People and Society

Vanuatu’s estimated population in 2024 was 318,007 (157,932 males; 160,075 females). Roughly 26% of residents live in urban areas—principally Port Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Espiritu Santo)—while the majority remain in rural communities reliant on subsistence agriculture.
Demographic indicators:

• Median age: 24.6 years
• Fertility rate: 2.53 children per woman
• Life expectancy: 75.7 years
• Annual growth: 1.55%
• Urban population: 26%
• Youth (0–14): 31.1% of population

Ethnically, Ni-Vanuatu (Melanesians) constitute approximately 99% of the population. The country is renowned for its linguistic diversity, with over 100 indigenous languages, alongside three official languages: Bislama (a creole lingua franca), English, and French.
Religion is predominantly Protestant (around 75%), mainly Presbyterian, Anglican, and Seventh-day Adventist, followed by Roman Catholicism and traditional beliefs that often blend with Christianity.
Social indicators reflect progress tempered by structural limitations. Literacy is approximately 88%, while education expenditure represents a high 10.6% of GDP (2023). Access to improved water reaches 91.3%, and sanitation coverage stands at 73.9%, though rural communities lag behind urban areas. Healthcare access remains limited, with only 0.16 physicians per 1,000 people and a maternal mortality rate of 100 per 100,000 live births.

Government and Politics

Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic governed by the Constitution of 30 July 1980.

• President: Nikenike Vurobaravu (since 23 July 2022)
• Prime Minister: Jotham Napat (since 11 February 2025)
• Legislature: Unicameral Parliament (52 members), elected for four-year terms under proportional representation

The Council of Ministers exercises executive authority, while the President serves as ceremonial head of state. Political fragmentation is a persistent feature: the 2025 parliamentary elections produced a coalition of several parties, including the Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV), Vanua’aku Pati (VP), Iauko Group (IG), Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Rural Development Party (RDP), and Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP). Women’s parliamentary representation remains among the lowest globally at 1.9%.
The judiciary combines English common law, French civil law, and customary law, with the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal at its apex. The Malvatu Mauri (National Council of Chiefs) provides constitutional advice on cultural and linguistic matters, recognising traditional authority in state affairs.
Citizenship is conferred by descent rather than birth on the territory. Dual nationality is not recognised, and naturalisation requires at least ten years’ residence.

Economy

Vanuatu’s lower-middle-income economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and remittances, with susceptibility to natural disasters and external market shifts.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): US$1.039 billion
• Real GDP growth: 4.0% (recovery year)
• Inflation: 11.2% (2023)
• Public debt: 71.7% of GDP
• Gini index: 32.3
• Poverty rate: 15.9%

Sectoral structure:

• Agriculture: 24.9%
• Industry: 7.5%
• Services: 60.4%

Trade (2022):

• Exports: US$152 million – fish, ships, perfume plants, wood, copra
• Imports: US$579 million – refined petroleum, vehicles, plastics, poultry
• Main partners (exports): Thailand, Japan, Côte d’Ivoire, China, USA
• Main partners (imports): China, Australia, Angola, Fiji, New Zealand

Remittances constitute about 12.9% of GDP (2023), and foreign reserves stand near US$615 million (2024).
Agriculture employs the majority of the workforce, producing taro, yams, cassava, coconuts, bananas, and kava, while tourism—a major income source—remains vulnerable to cyclones and transport constraints. Development partners, notably Australia and New Zealand, support infrastructure, governance, and climate resilience initiatives.

Energy and Communications

Electricity coverage reaches 70% of the population (urban 97%, rural 60.7%). Total installed capacity is 39 MW, sourced from fossil fuels (74.9%), hydropower (11.2%), solar (8.7%), wind (5%), and biomass. Petroleum consumption averages 2,000 barrels per day.
Mobile penetration stands at 78 per 100 inhabitants, internet use at 46%, and fixed broadband access remains limited (1 per 100). The national media network includes Radio Vanuatu, a state television service, and several private broadcasters.

Transport and Maritime Profile

The nation operates 31 airports (2025), though only a few—such as Bauerfield (Port Vila) and Pekoa (Luganville)—handle international flights. The merchant registry lists 338 vessels, predominantly small cargo and inter-island craft. Main ports include Port Vila, Luganville, and Forari Bay. Shipping connectivity is critical for inter-island trade, disaster relief, and tourism.

Security and Defence

Vanuatu has no standing military. Security responsibilities rest with the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), including the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and the Police Maritime Wing. The VMF performs internal security and limited peacekeeping roles, receiving training and equipment support from Australia, New Zealand, China, France, and the United States.
A “shiprider” agreement with the U.S. allows joint maritime enforcement within Vanuatu’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, targeting illegal fishing and smuggling.

International Relations and Organisations

Vanuatu maintains an active multilateral profile, advocating for climate action, ocean governance, and sustainable development. It is a member of the United Nations, Pacific Islands Forum, WTO, AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States), and Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Diplomatic missions include a Permanent Mission to the UN (New York), led by Ambassador Odo Tevi, while U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock (based in Port Moresby) is accredited to Vanuatu. The country aligns its foreign policy with priorities of resilience, regional solidarity, and climate diplomacy.