Vanuatu Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Vanuatu's industry employment was 10.05% in 2025, ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Vanuatu's industry employment stood at 10.05% in 2025, a decline of +0.21% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 9.89% by 2026. Vanuatu ranked 22nd globally.
Vanuatu’s share of its labour force employed in industry has risen modestly but steadily over the 35‑year series, moving from 9.06 % in 1991 to 10.05 % in 2025, which places the country 22nd globally. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 10.81 % in 2021, following a gradual climb after the trough of 8.36 % recorded in 2002. This upward trajectory mirrors the experience of peer economies such as Zambia, where industry employment stands at 10.28 %, and Madagascar, at 9.90 %, suggesting that modest industrial expansion is a common feature among small Pacific and African states. The persistent, albeit limited, growth reflects Vanuatu’s ongoing efforts to diversify beyond agriculture and services, yet the sector remains vulnerable to external shocks and limited domestic demand. Continued investment in value‑added processing and infrastructure could accelerate the pace, while a slowdown in global commodity prices or natural‑disaster impacts would likely temper future gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 9.50% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 9.70% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 9.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.05% | −0.21% | #22 |
| 2024 | 10.26% | −0.31% | #23 |
| 2023 | 10.57% | −0.09% | #24 |
| 2022 | 10.66% | −0.15% | #24 |
| 2021 | 10.81% | +0.16% | #24 |
| 2020 | 10.65% | −0.14% | #24 |
| 2019 | 10.79% | +0.17% | #25 |
| 2018 | 10.62% | +0.15% | #25 |
| 2017 | 10.48% | +0.58% | #24 |
| 2016 | 9.90% | +0.32% | #23 |
| 2015 | 9.58% | −0.18% | #21 |
| 2014 | 9.75% | +0.03% | #21 |
| 2013 | 9.72% | −0.29% | #20 |
| 2012 | 10.01% | −0.27% | #23 |
| 2011 | 10.28% | −0.07% | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Vanuatu matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanuatu's industry employment was 10.05% in 2025. Ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from the previous year.
Vanuatu's industry employment peaked at 10.81% in 2021.
The lowest industry employment in Vanuatu was 8.36% in 2002.
Vanuatu ranks 22nd globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Vanuatu's industry employment is projected to reach 9.89% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Vanuatu in 2025 was 10.05%. This ranks 22nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_vanuatu_industry-employment,
title = {Vanuatu Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/vanuatu/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}