Vanuatu: official statistics and sources
12 official bodies for Vanuatu, from Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics to Right to Information Unit, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official languages: Bislama, English, French. Capital: Port-Vila.
Who holds power in Vanuatu
- Head of state: Nikenike Vurobaravu (President of the Republic of Vanuatu)
- Head of government: Jotham Napat (Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu)
- Foreign minister: Marc Ati (Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade and International Cooperation of the Republic of Vanuatu)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary parliamentary republic. How local power works in Vanuatu: 3 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Vanuatu: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- Port Vila (capital)
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 335,169 for Vanuatu in 2025, against 266,101 in 2015. It ranks 22nd of 30 in the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific region and 172nd of 193 worldwide.
Vanuatu's economy produced $1.4 billion of goods and services in 2025, in current US dollars. Divided by population it comes to $4,039, where the middle country in the region has $6,547.
Output rose 3.1% after inflation in 2025 (World Bank). The IMF's October 2026 outlook projects 3.5% for 2026.
For 2025 as a whole the World Bank records 0.7%. IMF projections put 2026 at 2.8%.
Unemployment stood at 5.1% in 2025 on the ILO's modelled estimate, which can differ from the national survey.
Government debt was 36.2% of GDP in 2025, the IMF estimates, heading to 36.6% in 2026. The regional median is 45.0%.
A baby born in 2024 could expect to live 71.7 years.
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 11.2% (2023), lowest 0.7% (2025).
- Debt ratio 2015: 32.2%; 2025: 36.2%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +26%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Vanuatu
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics
Vanuatu's census, consumer price index, national accounts, trade and tourism statistics.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Reserve Bank of Vanuatu
Monetary policy statements, exchange rates, quarterly economic reviews and bank supervision.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- Parliament of Vanuatu
Bills, acts, Hansard and members of Parliament.
Government
- Government of Vanuatu
Government news, ministry information and official announcements.
Courts judgments
- Judiciary of Vanuatu (Supreme Court and Court of Appeal)
Court judgments, court lists and practice directions.
Public audit how public money was spent
- Vanuatu National Audit Office
Audit reports on government accounts and public bodies, and the office's corporate plan.
Elections results and rules
- Vanuatu Electoral Office
Election results, voter registration and candidate information.
Regulators
- Vanuatu Financial Services Commission
Company registry and regulation of financial service providers.
- Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator
Telecoms and broadcasting licences, market reports and regulatory decisions.
- Utilities Regulatory Authority
Electricity and water tariff decisions and utility performance reports.
Ombudsman
- Office of the Ombudsman
Public reports on investigations under the Leadership Code and Ombudsman Act.
Access to information requests to public bodies
- Right to Information Unit
Guidance on the Right to Information Act, request forms, proactive-publication guidelines and implementation reports.
Freedom of information in Vanuatu
| Law | Right to Information Act No. 13 of 2016 (2016) |
|---|---|
| Answered by | A Right to Information Officer appointed in each government agency. |
| Time limit | 30 days, extendable once by up to 14 days; acknowledgement within 5 days. |
| Appeals to | Information Commissioner (appeal within 20 days of the decision) |
| Request online | Official request portal |
There is no application fee; fees may be charged for copies. Exemptions do not apply to information more than 10 years old (RTI Unit user guide).
What Vanuatu does not have
- The company register is run by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, already listed.
- No online land register could be reached; lands.gov.vu did not resolve on 2026-10-13.
- No public procurement portal could be found.
- No public register of lobbyists or published asset declarations.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Vanuatu by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Vanuatu, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Vanuatu. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in Vanuatu how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 6: National government
- Vanuatu: national government this page
- Government and power in Vanuatu who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Vanuatu?
335,169 (2025, World Bank). National figures: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics.
What is the inflation rate in Vanuatu?
0.7% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics.
What is Vanuatu's GDP?
$1.4 billion (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Vanuatu have?
36.2% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Vanuatu?
Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: https://vnso.gov.vu/index.php/en/
Is there a freedom of information law in Vanuatu?
Right to Information Act No. 13 of 2016 (2016). Time limit: 30 days, extendable once by up to 14 days; acknowledgement within 5 days.. Appeals: Information Commissioner (appeal within 20 days of the decision).
What is the central bank of Vanuatu?
Reserve Bank of Vanuatu: https://www.rbv.gov.vu/
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