🇻🇺Vanuatu Political Stability: 40/100

Vanuatu is a Y-shaped archipelago of about 83 islands, with 65 inhabited, located between latitudes 13°S and 21°S and longitudes 166°E and 171°E. The islands are of volcanic origin and stretch approximately 1,300 kilometers from north to south, with the largest towns being Port Vila and Luganville. The highest point is Mount Tabwemasana at 1,879 meters on Espiritu Santo island.

As of the 2020 census, Vanuatu has a population of 300,019, with a slight male majority. The population is predominantly rural, and the official languages are Bislama, English, and French, with Bislama serving as the lingua franca. Christianity is the main religion, with various denominations present, including Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Anglican.

World Bank governance: rule of law 41st percentile, corruption control 38th percentile, political stability 62nd percentile.

Vanuatu's strongest governance dimension is Political Stability at 62/100, placing it in the upper half globally. This reflects a relatively low likelihood of politically motivated violence or instability.

The weakest dimension is Government Effectiveness at 11/100. Limited government effectiveness can mean inconsistent public services and gaps in policy implementation.

A wide 51-point gap between the highest and lowest indicators signals deeply uneven governance. Strong performance in Political Stability contrasts sharply with weakness in Government Effectiveness. This kind of imbalance often means that day-to-day experiences can vary dramatically depending on which government functions are involved.

Weak governance indicators for Vanuatu mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Vanuatu as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.