Where Is Vanuatu, Anyway?

The Republic of Vanuatu is a tropical, island nation of melanesian people located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Its population of 240,000 is spread over 80 small islands and includes a great diversity of languages and cultures.

Vanuatu’s national language is a trade language called Bislama – a combination of English, French and local language – but many Ni-Vanuatu, especially in the urban centers, speak some English or French.

Urban Centers

Vanuatu has two urban centers. Port Vila, on Efate Island, is the country’s capital with a population of 34,000. The other large town is Luganville on the island of Espritu Santo, with 11,000 people. Port Vila is the main commercial center of Vanuatu – a modern town with 24 hour electricity, piped water, sealed roads, international banks, five star hotels, and thriving businesses. The captial’s economy is fuelled by tourism, an offshore finance center and trade in agricultural exports. Luganville is also modern, but has a slower pace and is a little less ‘five star’.

Rural Vanuatu

Eighty percent of Vanuatu’s population lives in rural areas. Communities vary from large rural centers of 300-500 people, to small villages of 20-100 people, and even small hamlets of 2-3 families.

Sixty-five percent of the villagers are subsistence farmers, meeting their cash economy needs by selling producing cash crops; copra, kava, cocoa, cattle and other farm produce. Very limited tourism does add to the cash economy of the rural areas, especially visitors to Yasur Volcano on Tanna and land divers on Pentecost island. The average cash income for a rural family is about $100 per month. A portion of villagers are employed by government (teachers, administrators, etc) or the private sector. These people earn relatively high wages compared to other villagers. A monthly cash income of $30-50 is more typical for a rural household.