World Factbook
Vanuatu
Ripablik blong Vanuatu
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the left side); a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal "Y" faces the left side and encloses the triangle; a boar's tusk in the triangle circles two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow meaning: 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" 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
Capital
name
Port-Vila (on Efate)
etymology
the local name of Vila is sometimes used alone for the the port town; its meaning is unknown
time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 44 S, 168 19 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
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
Country name
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
local long form
Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form
Vanuatu
conventional long form
Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form
Vanuatu
Independence
30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, French law, and customary law
Government type
parliamentary republic
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)
subordinate courts
Magistrates Courts; Island Courts
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
Executive branch
note
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
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament
chief of state
President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)
election results
2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes
head of government
Prime Minister Jotham NAPAT (since 11 February 2025)
most recent election date
23 July 2022
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; national president serves a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition (who must also be a member of Parliament) as prime minister
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
National color(s)
red, black, green, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
52 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/16/2025
expected date of next election
January 2029
percentage of women in chamber
1.9%
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)
history
adopted 1980; the anthem is written in the native Bislama
lyrics/music
Francois Vincent AYSSAV
National symbol(s)
boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds
Administrative divisions
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 422-3427
note
note: the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy
chancery
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 661-4303
chief of mission
Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017) note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
email address and website
vanunmis@aol.com https://www.un.int/vanuatu/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Port Vila
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
email address and website
https://vt.usembassy.gov/
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction