Austronesian speakers from the Solomon Islands first settled Vanuatu around 2000 B.C. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. Around 1600, Melanesian Chief ROI MATA united some of the islands of modern-day Vanuatu under his rule. In 1606, a Portuguese explorer was the first European to see Vanuatu’s Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and the islands — then known as the New Hebrides — were frequented by whalers in the 1800s. European interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict with the inhabitants. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males on the islands to work as indentured servants.
With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the UK-France condominium to jointly administer the islands, with separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional, and the UK used France’s initial defeat in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. During the war, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu. In 1945, they withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious movements known as “cargo cults,” such as the John Frum movement.
The UK-France condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant. Political parties agitating for independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented, and elections were held in 1974, with independence granted to the newly named Vanuatu in 1980 under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. The Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, then declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent from Vanuatu, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time, but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted more than a dozen times through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues.
Geography
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates
16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references
Oceania
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
comparison ranking: total 162
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
2,528 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
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
Elevation
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 15.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 10.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 36.3% (2022 est.)
other: 48.4% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
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
Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, 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
Geography – note
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes, including several underwater volcanoes
People and Society
Population
total: 318,007 (2024 est.)
male: 157,932
female: 160,075
comparison rankings: total 179; female 179; male 179
Nationality
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups
Ni-Vanuatu 99%, other 1% (European, Asian, other Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, other) (2020 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
Religions
Protestant 39.9% (Presbyterian 27.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 14.8%, Anglican 12%, Churches of Christ 5%, Assemblies of God 4.9%, Neil Thomas Ministry/Inner Life Ministry 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.1%, Apostolic 2.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.8%, customary beliefs (including Jon Frum cargo cult) 3.1%, other 12%, none 1.4%, unspecified 0.1% (2020 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 31.1% (male 50,584/female 48,475)
15-64 years: 63.8% (male 99,496/female 103,425)
65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 7,852/female 8,175)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 56.7 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 48.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.9 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 12.7 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 24.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 24.1 years
female: 25 years
comparison ranking: total 176
Population growth rate
1.55% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 61
Birth rate
20.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 63
Death rate
4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 215
Net migration rate
-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 153
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.)
Major urban areas – population
53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
94 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 72
Infant mortality rate
total: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 15 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 103
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 74 years
female: 77.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 123
Total fertility rate
2.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 69
Gross reproduction rate
1.23 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
49% (2013)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 89.7% of population
total: 92.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 10.3% of population
total: 7.7% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
4.4% of GDP (2021)
3.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 91.1% of population
rural: 60.4% of population
total: 68.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8.9% of population
rural: 39.6% of population
total: 31.8% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
25.2% (2016)
comparison ranking: 52
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.87 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 136
Tobacco use
total: 17.8% (2020 est.)
male: 33% (2020 est.)
female: 2.6% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 86
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
69.2% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
10.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
20.9% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 4
Literacy
total population: 88% (2023 est.)
male: 87.7% (2023 est.)
female: 88.2% (2023 est.)
Environment
Environment – current issues
water pollution; limited potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation
Environment – international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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
Land use
agricultural land: 15.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 10.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 36.3% (2022 est.)
other: 48.4% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 26% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 8.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.15 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.5 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 70,225 tons (2012 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,983 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 37% (2013 est.)
Total renewable water resources
10 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides
etymology: the name means “Our land forever” in several of the Austronesian languages spoken on the islands; the former name, New Hebrides, was given by Captain James COOK in 1774 because he thought they looked similar to the Hebrides islands off the coast of Scotland
Government type
parliamentary republic
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
Administrative divisions
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, French law, and customary law
Constitution
history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence
amendment process: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Jotham NAPAT (since 11 February 2025)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; Vanuatu president serves a 5-year term; election last held on 23 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 11 February 2025
election results:
2025: Jotham NAPAT (LVP) elected prime minister; 50-0 votes
2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote – Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes
note: the National Council of Chiefs (Malvatu Mauri) is a formal advisory body of chiefs recognized by the country’s constitution; it advises the government on matters of culture and language
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 52 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 1/16/2025
parties elected and seats per party: Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) (9); Vanua’aku Pati (VP) (7); Iauko Group (IG) (6); Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) (6); Rural Development Party (RDP) (6); Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP) (5); Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) (5); Other (8)
percentage of women in chamber: 1.9%
expected date of next election: January 2029
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of 2 or more judges of the Supreme Court designated by the chief justice); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 puisne judges — 3 local and 3 expatriate)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges serve until the age of retirement
subordinate courts: Magistrates Courts; Island Courts
Political parties
Iauko Group (Eagle Party) or IG
Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati or GJP)
Leaders Party of Vanuatu or LPV
Rural Development Party or RDP
Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC
Union of Moderate Parties or UMP
Vanua’aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017)
note – also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303
FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.un.int/vanuatu/
note – the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 16 April 2024); note – also accredited to the Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
embassy: Port Vila
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side), all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); a boar’s tusk in the triangle encircles two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow; red stands for unity and the blood of men and boars, green for the richness of the islands, and black for the ni-Vanuatu people; the yellow Y-shape reflects the islands’ layout in the Pacific Ocean and symbolizes the light of the Gospel; the boar’s tusk is a symbol of prosperity; the ferns represent peace
note: one of four national flags that reflect the shape of the country in the flag design; the others are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Eritrea
National symbol(s)
boar’s tusk with crossed fern fronds
National colors
red, black, green, yellow
National anthem
name: “Yumi, Yumi, Yumi” (We, We, We)
lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$999.162 million (2023 est.)
$977.53 million (2022 est.)
$959.152 million (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 210
Real GDP growth rate
2.21% (2023 est.)
1.92% (2022 est.)
-1.55% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 137
Real GDP per capita
$3,100 (2023 est.)
$3,100 (2022 est.)
$3,100 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 194
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.126 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
11.2% (2023 est.)
6.7% (2022 est.)
2.3% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 192
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 21.2% (2018 est.)
industry: 10% (2018 est.)
services: 59.8% (2018 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 90; industry 193; agriculture 33
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 55.5% (2019 est.)
government consumption: 20.6% (2019 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 55.5% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.6% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 15.3% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -55.5% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
coconuts, oranges, yams, cabbages, taro, bananas, chillies/peppers, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, cassava (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate
4.92% (2018 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 53
Labor force
118,100 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 182
Unemployment rate
5.1% (2024 est.)
5.1% (2023 est.)
5.1% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 97
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 11.6% (2024 est.)
male: 9.6% (2024 est.)
female: 14% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 116
Population below poverty line
15.9% (2019 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
32.3 (2019 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 109
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 24.7% (2019 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
12.87% of GDP (2023 est.)
19.35% of GDP (2022 est.)
21.03% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $415.063 million (2021 est.)
expenditures: $325.587 million (2021 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
71.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 53
Taxes and other revenues
17.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 111
Current account balance
-$127.432 million (2022 est.)
-$75.451 million (2021 est.)
-$57.858 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 101
Exports
$152.087 million (2022 est.)
$82.08 million (2021 est.)
$132.943 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 207
Exports – partners
Thailand 49%, Japan 19%, Cote d’Ivoire 10%, China 7%, USA 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
fish, ships, perfume plants, wood, copra (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$579.347 million (2022 est.)
$520.391 million (2021 est.)
$438.373 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 201
Imports – partners
China 26%, Australia 15%, Angola 11%, Fiji 9%, NZ 8% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, ships, plastic products, poultry, trucks (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$643.768 million (2023 est.)
$638.537 million (2022 est.)
$664.751 million (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 161
Debt – external
$299.746 million (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 117
Exchange rates
vatu (VUV) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
119.112 (2023 est.)
115.354 (2022 est.)
109.452 (2021 est.)
115.38 (2020 est.)
114.732 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 70% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 97%
electrification – rural areas: 60.7%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 39,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 74.766 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 5.264 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 10; consumption 201; installed generating capacity 198
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 74.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 8.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
292,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 292,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 200
Energy consumption per capita
12.934 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 144
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 3,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 208
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 256,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 78 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 182
Broadcast media
1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu has 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; multiple international broadcasts available (2023)
Internet country code
.vu
Internet users
percent of population: 46% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 4,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 196
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YJ
Airports
31 (2025)
comparison ranking: 120
Merchant marine
total: 338 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 3, general cargo 101, other 223
comparison ranking: total 54
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
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) (2025)
note: the VPF includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VMW); the VMF has external security responsibilities
Military – note
the separate British and French police forces were unified in 1980 as the New Hebrides Constabulary, which was commanded by Ni-Vanuatu officers while retaining some British and French officers as advisors; the Constabulary was subsequently renamed the Vanuatu Police Force later in 1980
the Vanuatu Mobile Force has received training and other support from Australia, China, France, New Zealand, and the US
Vanuatu has a “shiprider” agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Vanuatu’s designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; “shiprider” agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Vanuatu remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/vanuatu/
