Vanuatu: cost of living

Why are prices going up in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu's consumer prices rose 1.4% in the June quarter of 2026, mainly because of higher prices for petrol and diesel, fruit and vegetables and household cleaning products, according to the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics' CPI release for the second quarter of 2026. Transport rose 8.8% and food 1.8% in the quarter.

Prices rose most in Luganville, by 2.5%, while Port Vila rose 1.3% and Lenakel fell 0.4%. Over the year, the rises came from medical check-up fees, fuel, school fees, phone services, and electricity and water charges.

Official sources: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: consumer price index, 2nd quarter 2026 (PDF)

How fast are prices rising in Vanuatu?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Vanuatu at 0.7% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2%; Vanuatu is 18th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 142nd of 165.

How much do households in Vanuatu spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Vanuatu was $5,724 in 2024. The peak was $6,371 in 2020 and the low $2,595 in 2015. It is 9th highest of 22 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $4,470. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 153.

What share of people in Vanuatu live in extreme poverty?

19.5%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Vanuatu for 2019, according to the World Bank. In 2010 the figure was 25.7%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and Vanuatu placed 1st highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 5th of 77.

What share of Vanuatu lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Vanuatu at 15.9% in 2019. East Asia & Pacific median: 8.4%; Vanuatu is 3rd highest of 9. Worldwide: 37th of 62.

How unequal are incomes in Vanuatu?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Vanuatu was 32.3 in 2019. In 2010 the figure was 37.4. East Asia & Pacific median: 33.2; Vanuatu is 7th highest of 9. Worldwide: 45th of 77.

How many people in Vanuatu face food insecurity?

In 2020, moderate or severe food insecurity in Vanuatu was 23.3%, according to the FAO. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 19.3%, and Vanuatu placed 8th highest of 21. Worldwide: 74th of 143.