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Vanuatu profile

Country overview

Vanuatu – formerly the New Hebrides – gained independence in 1980, following 70 years of joint British and French rule.

It has four main islands and 80 smaller islands. Around 80 percent of the population is spread across the 12 main islands in the chain, with most of the remainder living in the two urban centres – Port Vila and Luganville. Several islands have active volcanoes and all are prone to natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes and tsunami.

Country profile

Around three-quarters of the Ni-Vanuatu people live in rural areas and are dependent on subsistence farming. The main agricultural exports are copra, beef, cocoa and kava. Tourism and offshore finance are other major sources of income. Tax revenue is derived from import duties, and neither personal income nor company profits are taxed.

Vanuatu has not experienced the internal conflict that has afflicted neighbouring countries such as the Solomon Islands and Fiji. But in recent years, the country has suffered political instability, with frequent changes of government and political coalitions.

Vanuatu has a young population. Over 40 percent of the population is under 15 years of age, and 20 percent aged between 15 and 24. Rapid population growth has put pressure on health and education services, and the availability of employment opportunities. Limited opportunities for young people place them at increased risk of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. All of these factors increase their vulnerability to HIV and AIDS.

Stats and facts

• Capital: Port Vila
• Population: 222,000 (UN 2005)
• Language: Bislama, French, English
• Religion: Christianity
• Adult literacy: 74 percent
• Life expectancy: 69 years
• Government: Parliamentary republic
• Access to safe water: 60%

Reference: Statistics from the UNDP Human Development Report and The World Factbook.

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External links

• Oxfam Australia in Vanuatu
• NZAID in Vanuatu
• Vanuatu National Statistics Office
• UNDP in Vanuatu
• UNDP Human Development Report statistics
• Secretariat of the Pacific Community
• The World Factbook - Vanuatu