Vanuatu - Society

Population: 232,000 (2008); concentrated near the coast on the four main islands, 25% living in urban areas – Efaté has the fastest-growing population, as people migrate to the capital; growth 2.7% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.4% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 29 per 1,000 people (43 in 1970); life expectancy 70 years (53 in 1970). About 95% of the population is Melanesian (known as ni-Vanuatu), the rest of mixed Micronesian, Polynesian and European descent.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Presbyterians 37%, Roman Catholics 15%, Anglicans 15%, and Seventh Day Adventists 6%).

Language: The national language is Bislama; French and English are widely spoken and also official languages. There are more than 100 Melanesian languages and dialects.
Media: Vanuatu Weekly is published by the government in Bislama, French and English. The independent Vanuatu Trading Post is published twice-weekly (Tuesday and Saturday), and Nasara weekly. The monthly Pacific Island Profile is published in English and French.

Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) operates the country’s sole TV and radio network. The BBC World Service is available on FM.

Radio Vanuatu gives daily broadcasts in Bislama, French and English. A television station in Port Vila, opened in 1992, broadcasts in English and French.

There are 12 TV sets (2005), 14 personal computers (2004) and 75 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 11% of GDP in 2002/03. Primary education, in French or English, is almost universal and provided at nominal charge. There are seven years of compulsory education starting at age six. Net enrolment ratios are 88% for primary (2006) and 28% for secondary. The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 20:1 and for secondary 27:1. The school year starts in February.

About 5% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). Vanuatu is a partner in the regional University of the South Pacific, which has its main campus in Suva, Fiji Islands and a branch in Vanuatu. Malapoa Teachers’ Training College and Tagabe Agricultural School also provide tertiary education, and there is a school of nursing in Port Vila.

Health: The major hospitals are in Port Vila and Luganville, with health centres and dispensaries throughout the country. 59% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 50% of people have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Malaria is widespread. Infant mortality was 30 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (141 in 1960).

Communications: Country code 678. There are public telephones at airports and post offices, and phonecards can be purchased in local currency from the post office. All outgoing international calls from Vanuatu must be made through an operator. Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone providers and coverage is generally good.

Port Vila (on Efaté) and Luganville (on Espíritu Santo) have a number of internet cafes, and internet facilities are also available at some post offices. Post offices are located in Port Vila and Luganville, and there are post boxes around the islands. There is a special post box set near the rim of Mount Yasur – one of the world’s most accessible and dangerous active volcanoes – from which visitors can send letters and special ‘volcano postcards’.

There are 39 main telephone lines and 115 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Custom Chief’s Day (5 March), Labour Day (1 May), Children’s Day (24 July), Independence Day (30 July), Assumption (15 August), Constitution Day (5 October), Unity Day (29 November), Christmas Day and Family Day (26 December).

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Ascension Day.