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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.

- ## 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: 164
  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 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:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  tropical cyclones or typhoons (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 (elev. 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 and Society :: VANUATU

- 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.)
  Population:
  272,264 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 36.71% (male 51,014/female 48,940)
  15-24 years: 19.94% (male 26,970/female 27,314)
  25-54 years: 34.45% (male 45,935/female 47,864)
  55-64 years: 5.13% (male 7,034/female 6,932)
  65 years and over: 3.77% (male 5,236/female 5,025) (2015 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: 21.4 years
  male: 21 years
  female: 21.7 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.95% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Birth rate:
  25.04 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Death rate:
  4.09 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Net migration rate:
  -1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 26.1% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 3.42% annual rate of change (2010-15 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: 1.02 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
  total population: 1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  78 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 16.77 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 14.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 73.06 years
  male: 71.47 years
  female: 74.72 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Total fertility rate:
  3.25 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  38.4% (2007)
  Health expenditures:
  3.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Physicians density:
  0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.8 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:
  32.9% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  11.7% (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Education expenditures:
  5% of GDP (2009)
  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.)

- ## 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
  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:
  effective 30 July 1980; amended several times, last in 2013 (2015)
  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 Baldwin LONSDALE (since 22 September 2014)
  head of government: Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 June 2015)
  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 September 2014 (next to be held in 2019); 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 23 March 2013 (next to be held following general elections in 2016)
  election results: Baldwin LONSDALE (independent) elected president; Parliament vote - 46 out of 52 on the eighth ballot; Sato KILMAN (PPP) elected prime minister following a no confidence vote against the government of Joe NATUMAN on 11 June 2015
  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 30 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
  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): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 3 judges); note - appeals from the Supreme Court are considered by the Court of Appeal, constituted by 2 or more judges of the Supreme Court sitting together
  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 Progressive Development Party or VPDP [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 :: 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 nearly 197,000 visitors in 2008, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. 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. In mid-2002, the government 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. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $683 million (2014 est.)
  $667.4 million (2013 est.)
  $654.6 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 208
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $822 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.3% (2014 est.)
  2% (2013 est.)
  1.8% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $2,600 (2014 est.)
  $2,500 (2013 est.)
  $2,500 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 194
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 62.1%
  government consumption: 16%
  investment in fixed capital: 26.3%
  investment in inventories: 0%
  exports of goods and services: 48%
  imports of goods and services: -52.4%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 28%
  industry: 8.8%
  services: 63.2% (2014 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:
  3.1% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Labor force:
  115,900 (2007 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 65%
  industry: 5%
  services: 30% (2000 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  1.7% (1999 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $173.1 million
  expenditures: $171 million (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  21.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  0.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1% (2014 est.)
  1.3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Central bank discount rate:
  20% (31 December 2010)
  6% (31 December 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  4.8% (31 December 2014 est.)
  5% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Stock of narrow money:
  $270.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $272.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Stock of broad money:
  $544.9 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $552.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $501.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $535.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  $4 million (2014 est.)
  -$11 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Exports:
  $49.1 million (2014 est.)
  $44.7 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Exports - commodities:
  copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee
  Exports - partners:
  Thailand 36.8%, Japan 25.2%, South Korea 11.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $275.5 million (2014 est.)
  $267.5 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels
  Imports - partners:
  China 32%, Singapore 16.5%, Australia 12%, Fiji 6.8%, Japan 6.8%, NZ 5.1% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $213.4 million (31 December 2015 est.)
  $184 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Debt - external:
  $369.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
  $307.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $694.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $630.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $26.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $25.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Exchange rates:
  vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
  97.07 (2014 est.)
  97.07 (2013 est.)
  92.64 (2012 est.)
  89.47 (2011 est.)
  96.91 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: VANUATU

- Electricity - production:
  53 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Electricity - consumption:
  49.29 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  28,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  89.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  10.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1,015 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  166,100 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198

- ## Communications :: VANUATU

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 5,700
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 156,100
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Telephone system:
  international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (2004)
  Internet country code:
  .vu
  Internet users:
  total: 30,800
  percent of population: 11.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194

- ## Transportation :: VANUATU

- 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: 77
  by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 8, chemical tanker 2, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 24, vehicle carrier 1
  foreign-owned: 72 (Belgium 1, Canada 5, China 1, Greece 3, Japan 39, Norway 1, Poland 9, Russia 7, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UAE 1, US 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila

- ## Military :: VANUATU

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 62,216 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 43,331
  females age 16-49: 44,927 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 2,323
  female: 2,230 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: VANUATU

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

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