Vanuatu: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Vanuatu — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Vanuatu has a population of 292,680 spread across 12,189 km², giving it an average density of 24.0 people per km².

Demographics

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Vanuatu is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 98% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 50.4% of Vanuatu's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Vanuatu has 0.16 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Vanuatu, 46% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 89 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Source: World Bank Open Data