Vanuatu: health and care

What are the main causes of death in Vanuatu?

Diseases of the circulatory system caused 25.8% of deaths recorded in Vanuatu in 2023, followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases at 17.1% and cancers at 12.8%, according to the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics' Making Death Count brief for 2023, coded by the Pacific Regional Cause of Death Coding Service.

The data cover only 484 deaths recorded through Vanuatu National Hospital, mostly in Port Vila, about a fifth of expected deaths, so they are not a national picture. Ill-defined causes were 9.7%.

Official sources: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: Making Death Count, causes of death 2023 (PDF)

What is the life expectancy in Vanuatu?

Life expectancy at birth in Vanuatu was 67.2 years in 2023, according to World Health Organization estimates in its Global Health Observatory. It was 64.0 years for men and 70.9 years for women.

WHO's figures are modelled estimates built from census, survey and death registration data, so they can differ from national figures. The Pacific Community's National Minimum Development Indicators hold a national figure of 71.1 years from the 2009 census. The Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics publishes census and health reports on its website.

Official sources: WHO GHO: Life expectancy at birth · SPC: National Minimum Development Indicators, health · Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics

What share of children in Vanuatu are vaccinated?

77% of one-year-olds in Vanuatu received three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine in 2025, according to WHO and UNICEF estimates in WHO's Global Health Observatory. The Pacific Community's National Minimum Development Indicators give 68% for DTP3 and 70% for measles in 2022.

The same indicators say 90.9% of births were attended by skilled health staff in 2023, from the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics' Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Three doses of DTP vaccine is the standard measure of how well routine immunisation reaches children. The WHO and UNICEF estimates combine government reports with surveys and are revised as new data come in.

Official sources: WHO GHO: DTP3 immunisation coverage · SPC: National Minimum Development Indicators, health

What is the average life expectancy in Vanuatu?

71.7 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Vanuatu for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 71.5 years. Worldwide: 119th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Vanuatu?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Vanuatu at 14.4 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.9 per 1,000, and Vanuatu placed 15th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 88th highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Vanuatu?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Vanuatu was 100 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 82.0 per 100,000, and Vanuatu placed 13th highest of 30. Worldwide: 66th of 192.

How much does Vanuatu spend on health?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Vanuatu was 4.1% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.9% of GDP (2017) to 4.6% of GDP (2021). It is 23rd highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 5.9% of GDP. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 151st highest.

How much of health care in Vanuatu do patients pay for?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Vanuatu at 8.4% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.2% (2013) to 10.5% (2016). East Asia & Pacific median: 12.2%; Vanuatu is 19th highest of 29. Worldwide: 175th of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Vanuatu?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2019, is 0.16 per 1,000. Its high point since 2007 was 2012, at 0.18 per 1,000; its low point was 2008, at 0.12 per 1,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.76 per 1,000, and Vanuatu placed 20th highest of 21. Worldwide: 116th of 135.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Vanuatu?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Vanuatu at 61.0% in 2024. The peak was 90.0% in 2014 and the low 50.0% in 2021. It is 29th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 91.0%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 177th highest.