Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a group of islands in the South Pacific located some 1,967 km northeast of Brisbane, Australia, with a total population of approximately 298,333 inhabitants.

The islands cover an area of 12,189 sq. km, almost all of which is land, averaging 24 persons per sq. km. Of the total land available 1.6% or 192.02 sq. km is arable. Almost 49.3% of the total land available or 5,924 sq. km is covered with forests.

The islands total GDP is valued at 870 million. The services sector is the islands largest GDP contributor accounting for 60.8% of total GDP or 528.96 million. The services sector is followed by agriculture which accounts for 27.3% or 237.51 million of total GDP and industry which accounts for 11.8% or 102.66 million of total GDP.

The islands total labor force is estimated at 115,900 or 38.85% of the total population. Of the total labor force available 65% or 75,335 are employed in the agricultural sector, 30% or 34,770 are employed in the services sector and 5% or 5,795 are employed in the industrial sector. 

The islands main agricultural produce include copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, fruits, vegetables; beef; and fish. 

The islands primary exports are copra, beef and veal, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, coconut oil, shell, cowhides, coconut meal, and fish.

Vanuatu’s major export partners include the Philippines 23.9%, Australia 16.5%, the United States 10.4%, Japan 8.8%, Venezuela 8%, France 4.8%, Fiji 4.5%, and Hong Kong 4.4%. Its major import partners are Russia 35.2%, Australia 19.8%, New Zealand 9.8%, China 6.3%, and Fiji 5.5%.