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World Measure
Country profile · Oceania · Rank #182 by population

Vanuatu

Officially Republic of Vanuatu
Population 2025
335,169
#182
in the world
0.00%
of world population
+2.23%
annual growth
Density
26/km²
12,190 km² land area
Median age
20.3 years
Half the population is younger
Life expectancy
71.7 years
At birth
Urban population
22.3%
Living in urban areas

About Vanuatu

With a population of 335,169, Vanuatu ranks 182nd globally and spans 12,190 km² across Oceania at a density of 26 people per km². The country achieved independence in 1980 and uses the Vanuatu vatu as currency. Port Vila serves as the capital.

The nation's demographic profile reflects a young, growing population. A median age of 20.3 years and fertility rate of 3.6 births per woman support an annual growth rate of 2.2%, while life expectancy stands at 71.7 years. Only 22% of the population is urban, leaving the majority in rural areas.

Economic output per capita reached $4,039. The official languages are Bislama, English, and French.

This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.

Country Facts

Capital
Port Vila
Continent
Oceania
ISO codes
VU · VUT
Demonym
Ni-Vanuatu
Currency
Vanuatu vatu (VUV Vt)
State inception
1980
Time zone
UTC+11:00
Driving side
Right
Calling code
+678
Internet TLD
.vu
Land neighbours
No land borders

Languages

  • Bislama
  • English
  • French

Demographics

Urban Population228th of 240
22.3%
World Bank, 2025
Fertility Rate43rd of 240
3.57 births per woman
World Bank, 2024
Birth Rate40th of 213
27.7 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024
Death Rate188th of 213
5.0 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024

Economy

GDP per Capita175th of 240
$4,039
World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth111th of 210
+3.1%
World Bank, 2025
Unemployment Rate90th of 186
5.1%
World Bank, 2025
Inflation Rate161st of 191
0.7%
World Bank, 2025
Poverty Rate49th of 164
15.9%
World Bank, 2019
Gini Index52nd of 170
32.3
World Bank, 2019

Health

Infant Mortality106th of 194
14.4 per 1,000 live births
World Bank, 2024
Health Spending152nd of 192
4.1% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
Physicians185th of 206
0.16 per 1,000
World Bank, 2019
Hospital Beds126th of 199
1.73 per 1,000
World Bank, 2008
Maternal Mortality128th of 193
100 per 100,000 live births
World Bank, 2023
Obesity Rate115th of 198
21.6%
Our World in Data, 2024

Education

Literacy Rate112th of 175
88.0%
World Bank, 2023
Education Spending11th of 202
7.6% of GDP
World Bank, 2024
School Enrollment5th of 207
134.7% gross, secondary
World Bank, 2023

Not published for Vanuatu: Mean Years of Schooling.

Environment

Renewable Energy92nd of 211
25.0% of final consumption
World Bank, 2022
Forest Coverage82nd of 211
36.3% of land area
World Bank, 2023
Protected Areas179th of 211
4.8% of land area
World Bank, 2025
CO₂ Emissions173rd of 212
0.60 tonnes per capita
Our World in Data, 2024

Infrastructure

Internet Penetration188th of 211
22.4%
World Bank, 2015
Mobile Subscriptions159th of 212
89.3 per 100 people
World Bank, 2023

Quality of Life

Human Development Index145th of 192
0.621
Our World in Data, 2023

Not published for Vanuatu: Happiness Index.

Geography

Land Area162nd of 240
12,190 km²
World Bank, 2023

Military

None of our sources publish these indicators for Vanuatu.

Age & Gender Distribution

Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.

Male Female
100+95-9990-9485-8980-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-145-90-423K23KAge
Age 0–14
38.3%
Age 15–64
57.4%
Age 65+
4.3%
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
Vanuatu population pyramid
Age bandMaleFemale
100+24
95-992836
90-949997
85-89272191
80-84623435
75-791,2061,020
70-741,9392,106
65-692,7633,262
60-643,8294,120
55-595,0074,686
50-546,7105,743
45-496,5115,557
40-448,4938,922
35-3910,41811,118
30-3411,70412,832
25-2911,80212,837
20-2413,06513,040
15-1916,27615,441
10-1419,87018,741
5-922,06620,776
0-422,78421,346

Population History & Projection (1950–2100)

Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.

0200K400K600K800K1950197520002025205020752100projected →
Vanuatu's population was 52K in 1950 and is projected at 875K by 2100. Peak of 875K in 2100. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (estimates to 2024, medium variant thereafter).
Vanuatu population, 1950 to 2100
YearPopulation
195051,541
196064,431
197086,266
1980115,660
1990148,063
2000186,281
2010238,248
2020298,858
2030372,428
2040451,512
2050534,388
2060614,759
2070692,031
2080763,058
2090824,563
2100875,479

How Vanuatu Compares

Population against the ten most populous countries.

  1. India1.46B
  2. China1.41B
  3. United States341.8M
  4. Indonesia285.7M
  5. Pakistan255.2M
  6. Nigeria237.5M
  7. Brazil212.8M
  8. Bangladesh175.7M
  9. Russia143.5M
  10. Ethiopia135.5M
  11. Vanuatu335K
Sources as cited on each country page.
Vanuatu compared with the ten largest countries by population
NamePopulation
India1.46B
China1.41B
United States341.8M
Indonesia285.7M
Pakistan255.2M
Nigeria237.5M
Brazil212.8M
Bangladesh175.7M
Russia143.5M
Ethiopia135.5M
Vanuatu335K

Largest Cities in Vanuatu

All cities →

1 city of 15,000 or more in our roster.

The largest cities in this country, by city population
#CityRegionPopulation
1Port-VilaShefa35,901

Highest Peaks in Vanuatu

All peaks →

25 notable summits in our mountain dataset. Subsidiary summits — named high points on a larger mountain — are omitted, so ranks may skip.

The highest peaks in this country, by elevation
#PeakRangeElevation
1Tabwémasana1,877 m
2Paramavok1,586 m
3Matsimen1,586 m
4Naenpoé1,566 m
5Manaro1,496 m
6Porotsits1,456 m
7Lopevi Volcano1,413 m
8Cotamtam1,345 m

Vanuatu Population FAQ

What is the population of Vanuatu in 2026?

Vanuatu has a population of 335,169 people (2025 estimate), which is 182nd in the world and about 0.00% of the global total.

Is the population of Vanuatu growing or shrinking?

Vanuatu's population is growing at +2.23% per year, a change of roughly 7,474 people annually.

What is the capital of Vanuatu?

The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila.

How densely populated is Vanuatu?

Vanuatu has 26/km² across 12,190 km² of land area.

What is life expectancy in Vanuatu?

Life expectancy at birth in Vanuatu is 71.7 years (2024).

What is the median age in Vanuatu?

The median age in Vanuatu is 20.3 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.

Which continent is Vanuatu in?

Vanuatu is in Oceania.

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