Photo: Phillip Capper derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Vanuatu: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Vanuatu is placed 98th of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness -0.749 (2025); Statistical Performance Indicators 53.45 (2024).
Share
Governance & Institutions
98th
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- -0.749Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- 53.45Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024SPI overall score (0–100)
- 47Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.911Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index, 2025Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Vanuatu on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
-0.749
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Vanuatu: -0.749. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.
- World median
- 0.101
- Best in Melanesia
- 0.529 Fiji
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
53.45
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
Vanuatu: 53.45. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.
- World median
- 69.3
- Best in Melanesia
- 67.68 Fiji
Key 3 of 4
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
47
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 63rd of 181 by Transparency International
Vanuatu: 47. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.
- World median
- 39
- Best in Melanesia
- 55 Fiji
Key 4 of 4
Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.911
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Vanuatu: 0.911. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.
- World median
- 0.676
- Best in Melanesia
- 0.911 Vanuatu
02Over time
Which way Vanuatu is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government Effectiveness
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) · higher is better
VanuatuWorld median
Vanuatu fell from -0.351 in 2004 to -0.749 in 2025; the world median went from -0.314 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Vanuatu World median 2025 -0.74854 0.1006 2024 -0.85907 0.0098 2023 -0.85915 -0.0408 2022 -0.81133 -0.0305 2021 -0.81124 -0.0158 2020 -0.76183 -0.0171 2019 -0.69628 0.0150 2018 -0.44432 0.0159 2017 -0.71753 0.0158 2016 -0.71717 0.0225 2015 -0.71802 0.0038 2014 -0.48798 0.0194 2013 0.07623 -0.0758 2012 0.07657 -0.0839 2011 0.09810 -0.1221 2010 0.09880 -0.1145 2009 -0.01871 -0.1609 2008 0.02296 -0.2134 2007 -0.08891 -0.3260 2006 0.24775 -0.3310 2005 0.24849 -0.3706 2004 -0.35051 -0.3140 2003 — -0.4369 2002 — -0.3366 2000 — -0.3969 Statistical Performance Indicators
SPI overall score (0–100) · higher is better
VanuatuWorld median
Vanuatu rose from 38.14 in 2016 to 53.45 in 2024; the world median went from 56.25 to 69.3.
Every year’s figures
Year Vanuatu World median 2024 53.4 69.30 2023 52.9 68.86 2022 52.0 67.99 2021 50.6 69.96 2020 42.0 62.91 2019 42.7 61.19 2018 39.5 61.17 2017 40.5 59.55 2016 38.1 56.25 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
VanuatuWorld median
Vanuatu rose from 43 in 2017 to 47 in 2025; the world median went from 38.5 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Vanuatu World median 2025 47 39.0 2024 50 40.0 2023 48 40.0 2022 48 39.5 2021 45 39.0 2020 43 40.0 2019 46 39.5 2018 46 38.0 2017 43 38.5 2016 — 38.0 2015 — 37.0 2014 — 38.0 2013 — 38.0 2012 — 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
VanuatuWorld median
Vanuatu rose from 0.878 in 2000 to 0.911 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Vanuatu World median 2025 0.911 0.6760 2024 0.911 0.6645 2023 0.911 0.6590 2022 0.911 0.6600 2021 0.911 0.6580 2020 0.932 0.6645 2019 0.930 0.6560 2018 0.903 0.6485 2017 0.903 0.6550 2016 0.903 0.6520 2015 0.903 0.6700 2014 0.888 0.6515 2013 0.888 0.6550 2012 0.888 0.6750 2011 0.888 0.6680 2010 0.888 0.6640 2009 0.878 0.6580 2008 0.878 0.6590 2007 0.878 0.6630 2006 0.878 0.6590 2005 0.878 0.6580 2004 0.878 0.6480 2003 0.878 0.6480 2002 0.878 0.6470 2001 0.878 0.6530 2000 0.878 0.6465
03In context
Vanuatu beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.
Vanuatu and Melanesia
Vanuatu has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 194; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Government EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) | Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100) | Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) | Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fiji | 50th | 0.529 | 67.68 | 55 | 0.795 |
| Vanuatu | 98th | -0.749 | 53.45 | 47 | 0.911 |
 Solomon Islands | =121st | -0.845 | 51.03 | 44 | 0.82 |
 Papua New Guinea | 142nd | -0.71 | 43.63 | 26 | 0.863 |
 New Caledonia | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Melanesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 194.
Placed either side on governance & institutions
The countries immediately above and below Vanuatu in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Vanuatu is ahead of the world, and behind
38 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median16
Statistics on which Vanuatu does better than the middle country measured.
Government Spending on EducationUIS · 2023 · world median 3.7097.5813.709▲ Improved since 2014
Vanuatu: 7.581 · world median 3.709 · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 16.39; higher is better.
Position 5th of 123 · derived.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.936.51412.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Vanuatu: 6.514 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 93rd of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.8290.651▲ Improved since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.829 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.
Position 33rd of 176 · derived.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.399.1495.3▲ Improved since 2015
Vanuatu: 99.14 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.6230.353No real change since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.623 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 176 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.1820.445▲ Improved since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.182 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.
Position 134th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3331.2880.333▲ Improved since 2015
Vanuatu: 1.288 · world median 0.333 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4.0); higher = a more rigorous and impartial administration. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.552 to 3.99; higher is better.
Position 47th of 176 · derived.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.7290.497No real change since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.729 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.
Position 49th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.547-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.547 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 67th of 206 · derived.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4668.5450.46No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 68.54 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.
Position 68th of 198 · derived.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.1020.529-0.102▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.529 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.
Position 74th of 211 · derived.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.3320.518No real change since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.332 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.
Position 111th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3090.6510.309▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: 0.651 · world median 0.309 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.6); higher = more appointments on merit. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.442 to 3.584; higher is better.
Position 67th of 176 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9439.1643.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Vanuatu: 39.16 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 66th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.157.452.1No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 57.4 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-0.182-0.197▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: -0.182 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.
Position 105th of 211 · derived.
Behind the world median19
Statistics on which Vanuatu does worse than the middle country measured.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.2423.246▼ 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.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.34-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: -0.34 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 125th of 209 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7512.923.75No 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.
Agriculture Orientation IndexFAO · 2024 · world median 0.3050.230.305▲ Improved since 2014
Vanuatu: 0.23 · world median 0.305 · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.03 to 5.38; higher is better.
Position 85th of 132 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1928.5540.19▲ Improved since 2020
Vanuatu: 28.55 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 132nd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.4140.63▲ Improved since 2022
Vanuatu: 0.414 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 196 · derived.
Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.3010.387▼ Worsened since 2014
Vanuatu: 0.301 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.
Ranked 146th of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.476.798.4No 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.
Business Ready: Public ServicesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 50.1332.0650.13No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 32.06 · world median 50.13 · Public services score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 18.35 to 73.31; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 50 · derived.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 593959No real change since 2015
Vanuatu: 39 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.
Ranked 143rd of 168 by Open Data Watch.
Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.26923.487.269No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 23.48 · world median 7.269 · Firms asked for a bribe at least once in six dealings with officials (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 64.26; lower is better.
Position 25th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.40327.416.403No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 27.41 · world median 6.403 · Firms saying firms like theirs pay officials informally to get things done (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 55.03; lower is better.
Position 18th of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.2555.6381.25▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: 55.63 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.125 to 100; higher is better.
Position 172nd of 190 · derived.
Business Ready: Regulatory FrameworkWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 66.850.4866.8No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 50.48 · world median 66.8 · Regulatory framework score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 46.21 to 78.34; higher is better.
Position 47th of 50 · derived.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.84.180.8No 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.
State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.179-1.0061.179▼ Worsened since 2015
Vanuatu: -1.006 · world median 1.179 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.1); higher = broader taxation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -1.716 to 3.135; higher is better.
Position 168th of 176 · derived.
Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.2502.25No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 0 · world median 2.25 · Regulatory governance score (0–5, where 5 is the most transparent rule-making). World Bank Group, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; higher is better.
Business Ready: Operational EfficiencyWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 65.8243.9465.82No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 43.94 · world median 65.82 · Operational efficiency score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 40.36 to 87.33; higher is better.
Position 49th of 50 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.9043.9No 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.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector Wage BillWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 7.97516.67.975Moved since 2012
Vanuatu: 16.6 · world median 7.975 · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0.977 to 42.65.
Position 7th of 168 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.7958.1176.795No earlier reading
Vanuatu: 8.117 · world median 6.795 · Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation (% of a typical week). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 31.33.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.4730.608Moved since 2013
Vanuatu: 0.473 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.
No current reading for Vanuatu
Foundational ID Ownership, General Government Consumption (last 2024), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2020), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Public Sector Employment, State Capacity Index and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“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
05Country Index 2026
Governance & Institutions among Vanuatu’s 15 topics
Governance & Institutions is Vanuatu’s 5th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security17th of 1772/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 18th of 1862/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 57th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour88th of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions98th of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge106th of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality87th of 1592/3 keys
- Gender & Equality105th of 1833/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital123rd of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing129th of 2002/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 133rd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 132nd of 1762/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture153rd of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience163rd of 1933/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade154th of 1772/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on governance & institutions
The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Vanuatu can most readily be measured against.
1
DenmarkNorthern Europe
1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand
2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale
3
SwedenNorthern Europe
3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
New Zealand2nd4/4 keysHighest in Melanesia
Fiji50th4/4 keysThis page
Vanuatu98th4/4 keys
Positions out of 194 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Vanuatu and governance & institutions
08Questions
Vanuatu on governance & institutions: 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 governance & institutions?
Vanuatu is placed 98th of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Vanuatu?
-0.749 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.
What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Vanuatu?
53.45 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.
How have Vanuatu’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness fell from -0.351 in 2004 to -0.749 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 38.14 in 2016 to 53.45 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 43 in 2017 to 47 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index rose from 0.878 in 2000 to 0.911 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Vanuatu?
No current reading is published for Vanuatu on Foundational ID Ownership, General Government Consumption, Government Funding per Primary Student, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Public Sector Employment, State Capacity Index and Trade Union Density. 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
Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.
How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The governance & institutions method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Government Effectiveness — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Statistical Performance Indicators — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Corruption Perceptions Index — Transparency International, CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
- Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 38 statistics on this page come from 11 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.
- Vanuatu (banner) — Phillip Capper derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- New Zealand — Karora derivative work: Inkey, Public domain
- Sweden — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Vanuatu: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/vanuatu/governance