Vanuatu
Country statistics · 1990–present
Vanuatu at a Glance
Vanuatu is home to 327,777 people as of 2024, with a population that is growing very rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $4,447, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 71.7 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 327,777 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 27.7 and a death rate of 5.0 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 22.6 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 7,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Vanuatu is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $2 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $4,447 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.5% in 2029, representing modest growth.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 71.7 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $143 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 88.0% (2023), reflecting a majority-literate adult population. Access to safe drinking water reaches 19.2% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.