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Eratap beach, Efate, Vanuatu

Photo: Phillip Capper derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

01The evidence

The 3 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Vanuatu on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 3

    Social Protection Coverage

    International Labour Organization (ILO)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · Vanuatu’s is from 2019 · CC BY 4.0

    57.4

    Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)

    Higher is better

    Vanuatu: 57.4. Across the 209 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 100 (Switzerland); the world median is 52.1.

    World median
    52.1
    Best in Melanesia
    72.6 New Caledonia
  2. Key 2 of 3

    Maternal Mortality Ratio

    UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO

    100.05

    Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births

    Lower is better

    Vanuatu: 100.05. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.

    World median
    46.65
    Best in Melanesia
    30.24 Fiji
  3. Key 3 of 3

    Human Development Index

    UNDP Human Development Report Office

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO

    0.621

    HDI score (0–1)

    Higher is better

    Ranked 146th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office

    Vanuatu: 0.621. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.

    World median
    0.762
    Best in Melanesia
    0.731 Fiji

03In context

Vanuatu beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.

Melanesia
1st196thNot placed · 28 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on development & human capital

Vanuatu and Melanesia

Vanuatu has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingSocial Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live birthsHuman Development IndexHDI score (0–1)
Fiji=85th65.630.240.731
Vanuatu123rd57.4100.050.621
Solomon Islands151st17.2122.590.584
Papua New Guinea164th9.1188.650.576
New Caledonianot placed72.6——

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Melanesia

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.

Placed either side on development & human capital

The countries immediately above and below Vanuatu in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Vanuatu is ahead of the world, and behind

40 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median2

Statistics on which Vanuatu does better than the middle country measured.

  • Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7475.94No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 75.94 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.

    Position 5th of 136 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0516.04No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 16.04 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.

    Position 95th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Behind the world median35

Statistics on which Vanuatu does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.242▼ Worsened since 2015

    Vanuatu: 3.242 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.

    Position 40th of 78 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1348.983▼ Worsened since 2014

    Vanuatu: 8.983 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.

    Position 91st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2614.43▼ Worsened since 2014

    Vanuatu: 14.43 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.

    Position 90th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5417.14▼ Worsened since 2014

    Vanuatu: 17.14 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.

    Position 88th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.120.9No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 20.9 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.

    Position 63rd of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8583.811▼ Worsened since 2014

    Vanuatu: 3.811 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.

    Position 80th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5464.731No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 4.731 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.

    Position 63rd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7512.9No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 12.9 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6742.68No real change since 2012

    Vanuatu: 42.68 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.

    Position 124th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.521No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 0.521 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.

    Position 108th of 169 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.952▲ Improved since 2013

    Vanuatu: 0.952 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.

    Position 118th of 184 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.117▼ Worsened since 2018

    Vanuatu: 0.117 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.

    Position 39th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6371.48No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 71.48 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.

    Position 146th of 222 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.928.1No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 28.1 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2113.06No real change since 2010

    Vanuatu: 13.06 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.

    Position 52nd of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16311.49No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 11.49 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.

    Position 65th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25227.31No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 27.31 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.

    Position 46th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.81▲ Improved since 2013

    Vanuatu: 11.81 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.

    Position 140th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.455▼ Worsened since 2017

    Vanuatu: 0.455 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.

    Position 125th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9337.183No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 7.183 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.

    Position 141st of 193 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.122.25▼ Worsened since 2014

    Vanuatu: 22.25 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.38213.14▼ Worsened since 2015

    Vanuatu: 13.14 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 9074▲ Improved since 2015

    Vanuatu: 74 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.828.9No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 28.9 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.

    Position 33rd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.476.7No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 76.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 9177No real change since 2015

    Vanuatu: 77 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10058.5No real change since 2014

    Vanuatu: 58.5 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.353.45▲ Improved since 2016

    Vanuatu: 53.45 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.

    Position 154th of 188 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10065.5No real change since 2014

    Vanuatu: 65.5 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2653,867No real change since 2015

    Vanuatu: 3,867 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.

    Position 158th of 185 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.556▲ Improved since 2013

    Vanuatu: 0.556 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.

    Ranked 147th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.888.7No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 88.7 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.

    Position 12th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.84.1No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 4.1 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,072632.4No real change since 2013

    Vanuatu: 632.4 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.

    Position 174th of 179 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.90No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 0 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 00No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

No better end2

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.57911.58Moved since 2013

    Vanuatu: 11.58 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.

    Position 18th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1310.6No earlier reading

    Vanuatu: 10.6 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

06The top of the list

Who leads on development & human capital

The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Vanuatu can most readily be measured against.

All 196 countries
  1. 1

    Cook Islands

    Polynesia

    1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys

    Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    Norway

    Northern Europe

    2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys

    Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  3. 3

    Denmark

    Northern Europe

    3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys

    Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Oceania

    Cook Islands1st2/3 keys
  2. Highest in Melanesia

    Fiji=85th3/3 keys
  3. This page

    Vanuatu123rd3/3 keys

Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

08Questions

Vanuatu on development & human capital: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Vanuatu rank on development & human capital?

Vanuatu is placed 123rd of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Vanuatu?

57.4 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.

What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Vanuatu?

100.05 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.

How have Vanuatu’s development & human capital figures changed?

Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 133.49 in 2000 to 100.05 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.561 in 2005 to 0.621 in 2023.

Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Vanuatu?

No current reading is published for Vanuatu on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Foundational ID Ownership, GNI per Capita (PPP), Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

09Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.

About development & human capital, in full

How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.

The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 40 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Vanuatu’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Vanuatu: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/vanuatu/development

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