Vanuatu: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu's unemployment rate was 4.5% in 2025, down from 7.9% in 2019, according to the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics' 2025 Labour Force Survey summary report, the country's first labour force survey. Youth unemployment was 8.7%.

A low unemployment rate does not mean most adults have paid work. Only 49.8% of working-age people were in the labour force, 58.5% of workers were in informal jobs, and 44.3% of young people were not in work, education or training. A wider measure of underused labour stood at 24.6%. The report is listed on the bureau's labour force survey page.

Official sources: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: 2025 Labour Force Survey summary report (PDF) · Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: labour force survey

What is the average wage in Vanuatu?

Average gross weekly wages from a main job in Vanuatu were VT 10,243 in 2025, according to the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics' 2025 Labour Force Survey summary report. Wage workers made up 43.9% of everyone in employment.

The average covers only people paid a wage, so it leaves out the many who farm, fish or sell for themselves. It is an average, so a few high earners pull it up, and the report breaks wages down by sex, age, region and province.

Official sources: Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics: 2025 Labour Force Survey summary report (PDF)

What is Vanuatu's minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Vanuatu was 57,165 VUV a month (about $480), according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is Vanuatu's unemployment rate?

5.1%: that is the unemployment rate in Vanuatu for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 8.1% in 2005 and the low 4.0% in 2020. It is 5th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. Worldwide: 87th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Vanuatu?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Vanuatu at 11.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.0% (2009) to 13.6% (2005). It is 9th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 7.5%. Worldwide: 94th of 174.

What share of people in Vanuatu are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Vanuatu was 58.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 77.0%; its low point was 2020, at 58.0%. East Asia & Pacific median: 65.3%; Vanuatu is 19th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 115th of 174.

How many women in Vanuatu are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 53.3%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 16th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. World rank, highest first: 90th of 174.

How many people in Vanuatu are employed?

55.2%: that is the employment to population ratio in Vanuatu for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. World rank, highest first: 110th of 174.

How many workers in Vanuatu are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Vanuatu was 58.0% in 2025. The peak was 74.1% in 2005 and the low 57.9% in 2022. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 40.0%, and Vanuatu placed 6th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 43rd highest.

What share of workers in Vanuatu earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Vanuatu was 39.4%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 39.4%; its low point was 2005, at 24.1%. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.8%; Vanuatu is 18th highest of 24. Worldwide: 130th of 174.