World Context: Vanuatu

Source and mapping status

This page maps the site registry entry “Vanuatu” to the supplied dataset entity “Vanuatu.” Mapping status: exact-name. The source is a frozen 2025 snapshot; dates embedded in individual fields remain controlling.

• Source entity count: 1.
• Selected public fields present: 19.
• Independent corroboration in this page: none.

Place and environment

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Area: total : 12,189 sq km; land: 12,189 sq km; water: 0 sq km; note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited 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 Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic activity; volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis; volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (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 Environmental issues: water pollution; limited potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation

Population, settlement, and language context

Population: total: 318,007 (2024 est.); male: 157,932; female: 160,075 Population distribution: three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace Urbanization: urban population: 26% of total population (2023); rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Languages: indigenous languages (more than 100) 82.6%, Bislama (official; creole) 14.5%, English (official) 2.1%, French (official) 0.8% (2020 est.); note: data represent first language spoken for population aged 3 years and above

Public and legal context

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); etymology: the local name of Vila is sometimes used alone for the the port town; its meaning is unknown Government type: parliamentary republic Legal system: mixed system of English common law, French law, and customary law

Economy and connectivity context

Economic overview: lower-middle income Pacific island economy; extremely reliant on subsistence agriculture and tourism; environmentally fragile; struggling post-pandemic and Tropical Cyclone Harold rebound; sizeable inflation; road infrastructure aid from Australia Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Electricity access: electrification - total population: 70% (2022 est.); electrification - urban areas: 97%; electrification - rural areas: 60.7% Internet users: percent of population: 46% (2023 est.) Airports: 31 (2025) Ports: total ports: 3 (2024); large: 0; medium: 0; small: 1; very small: 2; ports with oil terminals: 2; key ports: Forari Bay, Luganville, Port Vila

Interpretation and freshness boundary

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