Vanuatu
Oceania · Melanesia
80 islands and 100+ languages: active volcanoes, kava culture, a CBI passport available.
At a Glance
📈Vanuatu's Human Development Index
0.614
Medium human development#138 of 191 countries worldwide, #12 of 15 in Oceania.
Higher than 28% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a Melanesian archipelago in the South Pacific with one of the world's most active and accessible volcanoes on Tanna Island, outstanding diving in the Coral Sea, and a tradition-based culture, kastom, that varies from island to island and remains central to daily life. The ni-Vanuatu people are warm and proud of their cultural diversity, with over 100 languages across the archipelago. It suits adventurous travellers who want natural drama and genuine cultural difference.
- Bungee jumping originated here — from the 'land diving' ritual on Pentecost Island.
- Speaks 113 languages for a population of 300,000 — one of the highest language densities per person.
- Consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries despite very low GDP.
Quick Facts
Capital
Port Vila
Languages
Bislama, English, French
Currency
Vt VUV
Area
12,190 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$4K
PPP / Capita
$5K
Inflation
0.7%
Unemployment
5.1%
GNI / Capita
$4K
Tax Revenue
16.5%
FDI Inflows
2.2%
Education Spend
7.6%
Price Level Index
7th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 2005
0.557 → 0.614 (+0.057)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 18 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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What is Vanuatu's Human Development Index?
Vanuatu's Human Development Index is 0.614 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #138 of 191 countries.
What is life expectancy in Vanuatu?
Life expectancy at birth in Vanuatu is 71.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #121 of 195 countries.