8 answers, 2 from Vanuatu's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
81.5% of young people in Vanuatu completed primary school in 2023, 49.5% completed lower secondary and 23.1% completed upper secondary school, according to completion rates from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics in its data browser and on its Vanuatu country page. The institute estimates that 2.5% of children of primary school age were out of school in 2024.
The completion rate is the share of people a few years older than the official finishing age who have completed that level, so it describes the recent past. The Pacific Community's education indicators give a literacy rate of 94.3% for 15 to 24 year olds from the 2020 census.
Government spending on education in Vanuatu was 7.6% of GDP in 2024 and 19.3% of total government spending, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, which publishes the figures in its data browser and on its Vanuatu country page.
The share of GDP compares education spending with the size of the economy, while the share of government spending shows the priority education gets in the budget. Spending figures can be revised when final accounts replace budget estimates. Government budget and spending reports are published by the Department of Finance and Treasury.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2015, net primary school enrolment in Vanuatu was 79.8%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It was 98.9% in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 95.1%; Vanuatu is 17th highest of 19. Of 131 countries with 2015 data, 114th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Vanuatu was 134.7% in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2010. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 94.0%, and Vanuatu placed 1st highest of 22. Worldwide: 5th of 138.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the adult literacy rate in Vanuatu at 88.0% in 2023. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 96.6%, and Vanuatu placed 4th highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 33.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Vanuatu was 7.6% of GDP in 2024. Since 2008 it has ranged from 1.8% of GDP (2019) to 10.7% of GDP (2022). East Asia & Pacific median: 5.2% of GDP; Vanuatu is 1st highest of 5. Of 36 countries with 2024 data, 3rd highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2015, is 27. In 2007 the figure was 24. It is 4th highest of 18 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 19. Worldwide: 43rd of 136.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 113.4%. Since 2007 it has ranged from 81.6% (2007) to 116.1% (2023). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 98.9%, and Vanuatu placed 2nd highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error