Please note this is a Working Document
Profile last updated: 21 December 2011
Vanuatu lies in the Melanesian sub-region of the Pacific. It is an archipelago of over 80 islands, spread widely over 800 kilometres. Other countries in this region include Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. The population of Vanuatu was estimated to be 240,000 in 2010, with only 26% of people living in urban areas. The population density was 20 people per square kilometre, slightly denser than the average population density for all of Melanesia (UN DESA 2011). Vanuatu has a colonial legacy, which has resulted in a multi-linguistic nation. The three official languages are Bislama, English and French. Additionally, Vanuatu boasts over 100 local languages, making the language per population one of the greatest in the world (Vanuatu National Language Council 2010). At times, multilingualism can acts as an impediment to cohesion. Additionally, Vanuatu faces constraints to development because of the remoteness of many islands from the main market and each other, susceptibility to natural disasters and a fairly limited export base (UNESCO 2008).
| Quick Facts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (millions)* | 0.240 | Rural Population (%) | 74 |
| GDP per capita (PPP US$) | 4,450 | Adult HIV Prevalence (%) | --- |
| Primary Gross Enrolment (%) | 117 | Life Expectancy (years) | 71 |
| Primary Net Enrolment (%) | --- | Adult Literacy (%) | 82 |
| Out of School Children (%) | --- | HDI** | 0.617 |
| Public Spending on Education as % of GDP | 5.2 | EDI*** | --- |
