People and Society of Vanuatu

Nationality

Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders

Population

327,300

Population in Major Urban Areas

PORT-VILA (capital) 47,000

Hospital and medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited. Costs for treatment, including for pharmaceuticals, can be expensive. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for their services. In the event of a serious illness or accident (including diving-related injuries), you would need a medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities, usually Australia. A medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of U.S. dollars. There is only one hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents in Vanuatu, located in Port Vila. Many of the popular dive sites are located on other islands, and it may take several hours or days to obtain medical assistance in the event of a diving accident. Pharmacies are located only in urban centers and at missionary clinics. They are small and may be inadequately stocked; bring adequate supplies of medications for your stay in Vanuatu.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Vanuatu stands at approximately 70 years overall, with women typically outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy is estimated at around 72 years, while male life expectancy sits closer to 68 years. These figures place Vanuatu in a moderate range compared to other Pacific Island nations and reflect ongoing improvements in public health infrastructure over recent decades. Several factors influence life expectancy across the archipelago. Access to healthcare remains uneven, with residents of the capital Port Vila and the island of Luganville enjoying comparatively better medical facilities than those living on Vanuatu's more remote outer islands. The country's scattered geography — spanning over 80 inhabited islands — presents significant challenges for delivering consistent health services, including maternal care, vaccinations, and treatment for communicable diseases. Improvements in child survival rates have been a meaningful driver of rising life expectancy over the past generation. Infant mortality has declined substantially, and immunization programs covering diseases such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis have expanded their reach into rural communities. These gains have helped push overall life expectancy upward from levels recorded in earlier decades. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, are increasingly contributing to premature death as dietary patterns shift and urbanization accelerates. Tropical infectious diseases, including dengue fever, also remain persistent health concerns that affect population wellbeing and longevity. Natural disasters pose an additional indirect threat to life expectancy. Vanuatu is consistently ranked among the world's most disaster-prone countries, and major cyclone events have disrupted health services, damaged infrastructure, and strained the country's limited medical resources for extended periods. Tropical Cyclone Harold, which struck in April 2020, caused widespread destruction across several islands and compounded existing health system pressures during a particularly difficult period. Despite these challenges, Vanuatu's overall trajectory in life expectancy has been positive, reflecting the combined efforts of the national government, international health organizations, and community-level health workers who provide services across this geographically complex nation.

Infant Mortality Rate

Vanuatu has made notable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though the rate remains higher than those found in many developed nations. The infant mortality rate in Vanuatu stands at approximately 24 to 26 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting ongoing challenges in healthcare access, nutrition, and maternal health services across the archipelago's widely dispersed islands. The primary causes of infant death in Vanuatu include respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, neonatal complications, and malaria. Many of these conditions are preventable or treatable with timely medical intervention, but geographic isolation poses a significant barrier. Vanuatu comprises more than 80 islands spread across a vast stretch of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and reaching adequate healthcare facilities can be difficult — or impossible — for families living in remote rural communities. Urban centers like Port Vila and Luganville have better access to hospitals and trained healthcare workers, which contributes to measurable disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural populations. In rural areas, traditional birth attendants still assist with many deliveries, and access to skilled medical personnel during childbirth remains limited. The government of Vanuatu, in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has worked to improve immunization coverage, promote breastfeeding, expand maternal and child health programs, and train community health workers. Vaccination campaigns targeting measles, polio, and other preventable diseases have contributed to declining infant mortality figures over the past two decades. Despite this progress, malnutrition continues to affect a portion of Vanuatu's infant population, particularly in outer islands where food security and access to clean water can be inconsistent. Climate-related events such as cyclones — which strike Vanuatu with some regularity — can disrupt healthcare infrastructure and set back gains in child health outcomes. Continued investment in rural health infrastructure, community education, and climate resilience will be essential to sustaining and accelerating further reductions in infant mortality across the nation.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Presbyterian36.0%
• Other16.0%
• Anglican15.0%
• Roman Catholic15.0%
• Indigenous8.0%
• 7th Day Adventist6.0%
• Church of Christ4.0%

three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages

• English
• French
• Pidgin

Crime Information

Although violent crime is rare in Vanuatu, there is a risk that you could be a victim of theft, burglary, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Take reasonable precautions to avoid exposing yourself to undue risk, especially in tourist areas. Women should avoid going out alone at night or to isolated locations, especially on foot. If you are a victim of crime in Vanuatu, contact the local police emergency line, which is 112 in Vanuatu, and the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Criminal Penalties

Local laws and penalties, including ones that appear to be harsh by U.S. standards, apply to you. If you violate Vanuatu’s laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Crimes related to illegal drugs in Vanuatu are severely penalized. Buying pirated goods, engaging in sexual conduct with children, or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you are arrested in Vanuatu, request that the police, prison officials, or otherauthorities alert the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea immediately of your arrest. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are they illegal in the United States, you may also be breaking local law.