Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696587770232.pdf (Vanuatu)
Land area 12,190 km2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) GDP (million, current VT, 2017): 94,887 GDP (million, current USD, 2017): 886.6 GDP per capita (thousand, current VT, 2017): 340.433 GDP per capita (current USD, 2017): 3181 GDP growth rate (annual % growth, 2014-17 average): 2.6 Source: GDP statistics are from VNSO (2017a)5, population ones are from VNSO (2017b)6, life expectancy is from VNSO (2014),7 poverty and Gini measures are from VNSO and UNDP (2013)8, and HDI figures are from UNDP (2019).9 Note: The VT to USD conversion for GDP figures is done using the 2017 annual average exchange rate retrieved from www.exchangerates.org.uk Vanuatu’s sectoral structure of economic activity (percentage shares of GDP) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 63.5 64.6 21.0 18.1 Agriculture Agriculture 10.5 8.1 Industry Industry 2006 2017 2017 2006 Services Service Source: UNCTAD calculations using data from Table 2 in VNSO (2017a) Note: 1 HDI is a composite index that integrates three basic dimensions of human development: life expectancy at birth as a proxy of the ability to live a long and healthy life; mean of years of schooling and expected years of schooling as a proxy of acquired knowledge; and gross national income per capita as a proxy of the ability to achieve a decent standard of living.
An HDI close to zero indicates greater distance from the maximum that can be achieved on the factors entering the HDI and vice versa.

For technical details, see http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/human-development-index-hdi.

2 It shows the proportion of population with weekly per capita adult equivalent Expenditure less than the Basic Needs Poverty Line (BNPL).

3 The Gini coefficient measures the deviation of the distribution of income among individuals or households from a perfectly equal distribution.
A coefficient of 0 represents perfect income equality (all persons or households have the same income) Population Total (2016): 272,459 Density (per km2, 2016): 22 Urban (% of total, 2016): 25 Life expectancy (years, 2009, male/female): 70/73 Human Development Human Development Index (HDI, 2018)1: 0.597 HDI rank (2018): 141 Poverty ratio2 (%, 2010): 12.7 Gini Index3 (2010): 31 UN LDC group: Yes (will graduate from the LDC status in December 2020)4 KEY FACTS • Agriculture, fishing and forestry sector remains the main source of employment in Vanuatu (61% of all employed people).
It is followed by wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles (8.3 per cent), and public administration and defense, compulsory social security sectors (7.5 per cent).10 • Kava corresponds to more than half of domestic products in value.

It is followed by copra, coconut oil, cocoa, fish, beef veal and coconut meal.11 • As in the other 9PICs,12 Vanuatu’s small market prevents it from enjoying the potential benefits of economies of scale.
This, combined with geographical remoteness, creates difficulties for the country to integrate into international markets.

and a value of 100, perfect income inequality (all income is concentrated by one person or one household).

4 General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/78 adopted on 9 December 2015.

Countries scheduled to graduate in 2020 are considering requesting a postponement because of the pandemic.

5 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2017a.


Statistics Release: Gross Domestic Product 2017, Port Vila: VNSO.

6 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2017b.

2016 Mini Census Final Report, Port Vila: VNSO.

7 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2014.

Vanuatu Demographic and Health Survey 2013 Final Report, Port Vila: VNSO.

8 Vanuatu National Statistics Office & UNDP Pacific Office.

2013.

Vanuatu Hardship & Poverty Report, Port Vila: VNSO.

9 UNDP.

2019.
9 UNDP.

2019.

Human Development Report 2019, New York: UNDP 10 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2011.

2009 National Population and Housing Census, Analytical Report Vol.

2, Port Vila: VNSO.

11 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2020.
Statistics Update: International Merchandise Trade Statistics, December 2019 Provisional Highlights, Port Vila: VNSO 12 Nine Pacific Island Countries Signatories of the PACER Plus (9PICs): Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and Niue 1 VANUATUDemographic, economic and gender profileFactsheet2020 Vanuatu’s shares of main domestic products’ total value (December, 2019) Fish 5% Beef veal 2% Coconut meal 1% Cocoa 6% Coconut oil 8% Other products 10% Kava 53% Trade profile Vanuatu’ membership in trade agreements Copra 15% Source: VNSO (2020) Agreement Scope Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement (MSGTA) The Cotonou Agreement Gradual liberalization of tariffs and other protectionist mechanisms affecting trade in goods among MSG countries Development; political; economic and trade cooperation.
From “non-reciprocal” trade preferences in favour of ACP countries to reciprocal trade preferences through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) The Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) Progressive reduction/elimination of tariffs among member countries Melanesian Spearhead Group Skills Movement Scheme (MSGSMS) Temporary movement of skilled workers among the parties based on mutual recognition of professional qualifications PICTA Trade in Services Protocol (PICTA-TIS) Preferential trade among the parties on a range of services Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Trade in goods and services, temporary movement of skilled workers, investment, development and economic cooperation General Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Beneficiaries have duty free or preferential access to the donor country markets Everything But Arms (EBA) WTO membership Source: UNCTAD Secretariat Beneficiaries enjoy full duty free and quota free access to the European Union market for all products (except arms and armaments) Trade in goods and services; IPRs, trade remedies; implementation and monitoring; dispute settlement; capacity building • • • In 2019, Vanuatu had total exports of 5451 million Vatu and total imports of 35946 million Vatu.
Exports corresponded to 15 per cent of imports resulting in a large trade deficit as in most SIDS.

• Major export markets for kava in 2019 were New Caledonia, Fiji and Kiribati, followed closely by the United States of America.

Japan was the main destination for beef exports (VNSO, 2020).

Kava is the top export product of Vanuatu in 2019 with a total export share of 57 per cent and has increased its share substantially over the last five years.
Other major export products include coconut oil (5.7 per cent), cocoa (5.2 per cent), and copra (5.1 per cent).

Vanuatu’s imports cover a wide range of products as in most SIDS.

Machines and transport equipment (24 per cent), food and live animals (22 per cent), mineral fuels (15 per cent), basic manufactured products (14 per cent), miscellaneous manufactured goods (11 per cent), and beverages and tobacco (4 per cent) constituted its imports in 2019.
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Japan and France were among the main countries of origin of imports in February 2016.13 Vanuatu has been a member of the WTO since 2012.

Vanuatu is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).14 • • • Note: 13 VNSO.

2016.

Merchandise Trade Statistics.

February 2016.

14 PIF is the region’s premier political and economic policy organization.
2 VANUATUFactsheet2020 Vanuatu’s international trade measures (million Vatu) 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 27390 27509 11957 12315 3214 3622 0 408 358 4480 4694 214 119 2000 2010 -8693 -22818 -10000 -20000 -30000 -40000 39798 39989 35946 35946 4249 4249 190 2015 5229 5451 222 2019 Trade balance Total imports Imports for re-exports Imports for home consumption Total exports Re-exports Domestic exports -30495 -35740 Total exports Source: Data from Tables 1 in VNSO (2004)15, VNSO (2014)16 and VNSO (2020) Domes�c exports Re-exports Imports for home consump�on Imports for re-exports Total imports Trade balance Vanuatu’s exports by main products (percentage share) Vanuatu’s (percentage share) imports by main product groups 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 17.8 12.9 4.6 11.8 3.9 34.1 14.9 2000 Kava Copra Coconut oil 23.0 1.6 5.2 5.7 1.0 1.5 5.1 56.9 34.8 0.6 8.5 11.0 20.8 12.9 11.3 26.1 7.8 8.9 7.8 8.1 19.4 17.6 4.2 2010 Beef veal 2015 Sawn �mber Cocoa 2019 Coconut meal Other Kava Cocoa Copra Coconut oil Beef veal Food and live animals Beverages and tobacco Crude Materials Except Fuels Sawn timber Coconut meal Other Mineral Fuels Oils, Fats & Waxes Chemical Products Source: UNCTAD calculations using data from Tables 2 in VNSO (2004), VNSO (2014) and VNSO (2020) Source: UNCTAD calculations using data from Tables 4 in VNSO (2004), VNSO (2014) and VNSO (2020) Basic Manufactured Products Machines & Transport Equipment Miscellaneous Manufactured Goods Goods n.e.c.
Note: 15 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2004.

Overseas Trade, Port Vila: VNSO 16 Vanuatu National Statistics Office.

2014.

Statistics Update: International Merchandise Trade Statistics, December 2014 Highlights, Port Vila: VNSO 3 VANUATUFactsheet2020 Gender profile KEY FACTS • School enrolment rate for children at the compulsory school age of 6–13 years was 86 per cent for both girls and boys according to the 2009 population census, implying gender parity in primary education enrolment.
However, school enrolment fell after the age of 13 (75 per cent for 14 year- olds), and were higher for boys than girls after the age of 16.
It was also significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas.17 • Adult (ages 15+) literacy rate is 84 per cent for men and 86 per cent for women; youth (ages 15–24) literacy is higher, 92 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively, according to the 2009 population census.18 • 48 per cent of women completed primary school, 24 per cent secondary school, 3 per cent tertiary school while 18 per cent of women had never been to school in 2009.19 • Labour force participation rate was 80.4 per cent for men and 61.4 per cent for women, employment-to-population ratio was 37.2 per cent for men and 23.4 for men for women, and unemployment rate was 4.1 per cent for men and 5.2 per cent for women in 2009.20 • In 2009, 62 per cent of employed women worked in agriculture, 35 per cent in the services sector, and 3 per cent in industry.
• Women were mainly employed in the following services in 2009: public administration, community, social, personal and similar services (18 per cent), trade including wholesale, retail trade and repair (10 per cent), and tourism including accommodation and food services (3 per cent).

• A significantly higher share of working-age women (39 per cent) were unpaid family workers than men (21 per cent) in 2016.

On the contrary, 38 per cent of men were in paid employment (i.e.
employer, self-employed, employee- private, employee-public) compared to 22 per cent among women.21 • 37 per cent of men had a bank account at a commercial bank as opposed to 25 per cent of women in 2016.22 • Vanuatu’s Constitution acknowledges that all people have fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law and freedom from discrimination based on sex.
• Vanuatu’s National Gender Equality Policy 2015-2019 recognizes the importance of enhancing women’s economic empowerment, promoting women’s leadership and equal political participation, and of an enabling environment for gender mainstreaming.

It also set as a priority reducing domestic and gender-based violence.
Vanuatu’s population (ages 15+) by economic activity and sex (2016) Vanuatu’s population ownership and sex (2016) (ages 15+) by account 45% 45 40% 40 35% 35 30% 30 25% 25 20% 20 15% 15 10% 10 5% 5 0% 0 37.5 35.8 34.5 38.9 22.2 20.9 Employed Producing goods Men Unpaid family work work Men Women Women 90% 90 80% 80 70% 70 60% 60 50% 50 40% 40 30% 30 20% 20 10% 10 0% 0 2.3 1.0 Volunteer work 3.4 3.4 Economically inactive 82.0 71.8 37.4 25.1 8.8 9.3 Has a bank account Has a bank account - - Commercial bank Commercial bank Has a bank account Has a bank account - Non - Non commercial commercial bank bank Men Male Female Women Has a VNPF number Has a VNPF number Source: UNCTAD calculations using data from Tables 2.21 and 2.22 in VNSO (2017b) Source: UNCTAD calculations using data from Tables 1.34 and 1.35 in VNSO (2017b) Note: 17 VNSO (2011) 18 VNSO (2011) 19 VNSO (2011) 20 VNSO (2011) 21 VNSO (2017b) 22 VNSO (2017b) Note: VNPF: Vanuatu National Provident Fund.
VNPF aims to provide retirement benefits to members through the management of their savings.
4 VANUATUFactsheet2020 Number of women and men in the national parliament (as of June 2020) Men 52 Women 0 Source: Inter-parliamentary union Vanuatu’s gender inputs Ratified International Conventions or Commitments Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (1995) Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) Optional Protocol CEDAW (2007) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (2008) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1993) Optional protocol on the Rights of the child in the involvement of children in armed conflict (2007) Optional protocol on the Rights of the child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (2007) Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities (2008) Convention against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (2012) Agenda 2030 (2015) Gender in trade policy Vanuatu published its Trade Policy Framework Update 2019-2025 in March 2020.
Women’s economic empowerment issues are addressed in Ch.
9 Trade and Sustainable Development23 Other Gender Programmes and Laws toward gender equality National Gender Equality Policy 2015-201924 National Financial Inclusion Strategy 25 Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW, UN Women) Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE, UN Women) Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership (WPEL, UN Women) Gender and Protection in Humanitarian Action (GPiHA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (UN Women) Sources: Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute; University of the South Pacific’s School of Law; UN Women – Asia-Pacific (2018).
Note: 23 See the link for the full document: https://www.enhancedif.org/system/tdf/uploads/tpfu-vanuatu.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=5919 24 See the link for the full document: https://www.nab.vu/sites/default/files/documents/NationalGenderEqualityPolicyJuly2015.pdf 25 See the link for the full document: http://www.pfip.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vanuatu-National-Financial-Inclusion-Strategy-Rreport-2018-2023.pdf 5 VANUATUFactsheet2020