Vanuatu Mobile Subscriptions

Vanuatu’s mobile‑subscription rate reached 83.63 per 100 inhabitants in 2025, placing the nation at 162nd in the world and reflecting a steady climb from a zero baseline in 1960. The sector’s all‑time high of 90.83 in 2019 marked the culmination of a rapid diffusion phase that began in the early 2000s, while the earlier trough of 0.00 in 1993 underscores the absence of mobile infrastructure before the liberalisation of the telecommunications market. Over the 53‑year coverage period, Vanuatu’s trajectory mirrors that of peer small‑state economies such as Grenada, which posted a comparable 83.78 in the same year, suggesting that regional market dynamics and policy reforms have been similarly effective. Despite the impressive progress, the current level remains below the global average, and further expansion will likely depend on continued investment in network upgrades, affordability measures, and the rollout of 5G services, which could push the subscription rate toward the 90‑plus threshold observed at its 2019 peak.