Vanuatu Economy
Is Vanuatu a wealthy country?
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 more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers. Australia and New Zealand are the main source of tourists and foreign aid. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits.
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.
Since 2002, the government has 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.
Vanuatu Economy Data
What is the GDP of Vanuatu?
| Currency Name and Code | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) |
| GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP) | $850,000,000 (USD) |
| GDP - official exchange rate | $771,000,000 (USD) |
| GDP - real growth rate | -2% |
| GDP Per Capita | $2,600.00 (USD) |
| GDP by Sector- agriculture | 30.2% |
| GDP by Sector- Industry | 8.7% |
| GDP by Sector- services | 61.1% |
| GDP - composition, by end use |
household consumption: 69.8% government consumption: 18.8% investment in fixed capital: 25.2% investment in inventories: 0.1% exports of goods and services: 45.8% imports of goods and services: -59.7% |
| Inflation Rate | 3.9% |
| Labor Force | 115,900 |
| Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture | 65% |
| Labor Force By Occupation- industry | 5% |
| Labor Force By Occupation- services | 30% |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.7% |
| Fiscal Year | calendar year |
| Annual Budget | $78,700,000 (USD) |
| Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP | 0.3% |
| Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP | 24.6% |
| Major Industries | food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning |
| Agriculture Products | copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef |
| Exchange Rate per US Dollar | vatu (VUV) |
| Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate | 6.7% |