Vanuatu, an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. According to United Nations estimates, Vanuatu’s population was approximately 186,000 in 2000 and has grown to around 335,000 by 2023. This growth is primarily driven by a relatively high birth rate, with a young population structure and a median age of about 21 years. Migration has had a limited impact on overall numbers, as most of the population increase comes from natural growth rather than immigration. The population growth presents both opportunities and challenges for Vanuatu, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable development, as the country works to balance economic progress with the preservation of its unique environment and culture.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 52,000 | 4.3 |
| 1955 | 58,622 | 4.8 |
| 1960 | 66,087 | 5.4 |
| 1965 | 74,195 | 6.1 |
| 1970 | 85,400 | 7 |
| 1975 | 99,700 | 8.2 |
| 1980 | 116,791 | 9.6 |
| 1985 | 134,730 | 11.1 |
| 1990 | 153,866 | 12.6 |
| 1995 | 172,454 | 14.1 |
| 2000 | 191,376 | 15.7 |
| 2005 | 217,750 | 17.9 |
| 2010 | 245,053 | 20.1 |
| 2015 | 271,992 | 22.3 |
| 2020 | 297,953 | 24.4 |
| 2022 | 308,043 | 25.3 |
| 2023 | 313,046 | 25.7 |
| 2024 | 318,007 | 26.1 |
| 2025 | 322,915 | 26.5 |
| 2030 | 347,041 | 28.5 |
| 2035 | 370,413 | 30.4 |
| 2040 | 392,732 | 32.2 |
| 2045 | 413,574 | 33.9 |
| 2050 | 432,719 | 35.5 |
| 2055 | 449,951 | 36.9 |
| 2060 | 465,167 | 38.2 |
| 2065 | 478,324 | 39.2 |
| 2070 | 489,251 | 40.1 |
| 2075 | 497,683 | 40.8 |
| 2080 | 503,377 | 41.3 |
| 2085 | 506,211 | 41.5 |
| 2090 | 506,242 | 41.5 |
| 2095 | 503,725 | 41.3 |
| 2100 | 499,065 | 40.9 |
Data from US Census International Database