Vanuatu

Vanuatu

Introduction

Background

Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.

Geography

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 12,189 sq km
country comparison to the world: 164 land:12,189 sq km
water:0 sq km
note:includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

2,528 km

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical

moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October

moderate rainfall from November to April

may be affected by cyclones from December to April

Terrain

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin

narrow coastal plains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Natural resources

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Land use

arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops:6.97%
other:91.39% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April)

volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes

tsunamis
volcanism:Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity, with many volcanoes erupting in recent years

Yasur (elev. 361 m), one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries

other historically active volcanoes include, Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor’s Head

Environment – current issues

most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water

deforestation

Environment – international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands

several of the islands have active volcanoes

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective:Ni-Vanuatu

Ethnic groups

Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)

Languages

local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English (official) 1.9%, French (official) 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)

Religions

Protestant 55.6% (Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%), Roman Catholic 13.1%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)

Population

224,564 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 33,968/female 32,550)
15-64 years:66.1% (male 75,559/female 72,919)
65 years and over:4.3% (male 4,862/female 4,706) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 24.9 years
male:24.9 years
female:25 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.343% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Birth rate

20.86 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Death rate

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Urbanization

urban population: 26% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.05 male(s)/female
total population:1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 46.85 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 53 male:49.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female:44.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.7 years
country comparison to the world: 169 male:63.04 years
female:66.44 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.39 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Health expenditures

4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161

Physicians density

0.116 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 162

Hospital bed density

1.69 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 116

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 79% of population
total: 83% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 21% of population
total: 17% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 66% of population
rural: 48% of population
total: 52% of population
unimproved:
urban: 34% of population
rural: 52% of population
total: 48% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 68

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:74%
male:NA
female:NA (1999 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male:11 years
female:10 years (2004)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form:Vanuatu
local long form:Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form:Vanuatu
former:New Hebrides

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Port-Vila (on Efate)
geographic coordinates:17 44 S, 168 19 E
time difference:UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

6 provinces

Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Independence

30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Constitution

30 July 1980

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABBIL (since 3 September 2009)
head of government:Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 26 June 2011)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils

election for president last held on 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members

election for prime minister last held on 26 June 2011 following a supreme court decision nullifying KILMAN’s December 2010 election

KILMAN defeated Vohor SERGE 29 to 23 (next to be held following general elections in 2012)
election results:Iolu Johnson ABBIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (52 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 2 September 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4

note – political party associations are fluid
note:the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political parties and leaders

Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]

Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]

Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]

Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]

Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]

National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]

People’s Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]

People’s Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]

Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]

Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]

Vanua’aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]

Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]

Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]

Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]

Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU]

Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US

Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US

it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu

the US ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle)

centered in the triangle is a boar’s tusk encircling two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow

red represents the blood of boars and men, green the richness of the islands, and black the ni-Vanuatu people

the yellow Y-shape – which reflects the pattern of the islands in the Pacific Ocean – symbolizes the light of the Gospel spreading through the islands

the boar’s tusk is a symbol of prosperity frequently worn as a pendant on the islands

the fern fronds represent peace

National symbol(s)

boar’s tusk

National anthem

name: “Yumi, Yumi, Yumi” (We, We, We)
lyrics/music:Francois Vincent AYSSAV
note:adopted 1980, the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French

Economy

Economy – overview

This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two-thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with nearly 197,000 visitors in 2008, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible

the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.137 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196 $1.113 billion (2009 est.)
$1.075 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$693 million (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

2.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142 3.5% (2009 est.)
6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$5,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146 $5,100 (2009 est.)
$5,000 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 21.3%
industry:10.4%
services:68.3% (2010 est.)

Labor force

115,900 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 180

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 65%
industry:5%
services:30% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.7% (1999)
country comparison to the world: 10

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

21.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Budget

revenues: $78.7 million
expenditures:$72.23 million (2005 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

11.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93 4.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

20% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67 6% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156 5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$149.2 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178 $117.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$607.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172 $614.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$439.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167 $378.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables

beef

fish

Industries

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Electricity – production

43 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity – consumption

39.99 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Oil – consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198

Oil – imports

761 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Current account balance

-$60 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Exports

$40 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 198

Exports – commodities

copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee

Exports – partners

Thailand 57.4%, Japan 24.8% (2010)

Imports

$156 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 206

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Imports – partners

Australia 18.4%, Singapore 17.6%, Japan 12.9%, NZ 8.6%, Fiji 8.2%, China 6.2%, US 5.2%, New Caledonia 4.6% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$161.4 million (2003)
country comparison to the world: 169 $148.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$81.2 million (2004)
country comparison to the world: 186

Exchange rates

vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
97.93 (2009)
NA (2007)
111.93 (2006)
NA (2005)
111.79 (2004)

Transportation

Airports

31 (2010)
country comparison to the world:114

Airports – with paved runways

total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 28
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:23 (2010)

Roadways

total: 1,070 km
country comparison to the world: 183 paved:256 km
unpaved:814 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 72
country comparison to the world: 59 by type:bulk carrier 35, cargo 5, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 26, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned:70 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, Canada 5, Greece 4, Japan 44, Monaco 1, Norway 1, Poland 7, Russia 1, UAE 1, Ukraine 3) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila

Military

Military branches

no regular military forces

Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF

includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 62,216 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 43,331
females age 16-49:44,927 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 2,323
female:2,230 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

NA

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France