Vanuatu Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Vanuatu's population growth was 2.28% in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Vanuatu's population growth stood at 2.28% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.28% by 2025. Vanuatu ranked 38th globally.
Vanuatu’s population growth rate in 2025 stood at 2.28 percent, placing the nation 38th worldwide, and it remains closely aligned with peers such as Equatorial Guinea (2.29 percent) and The Gambia (2.25 percent). Over the 65‑year series, the island state’s growth has fluctuated modestly, descending from a 1961 rate of 2.81 percent to a historic low of 2.07 percent in 1999 before reaching an all‑time peak of 3.09 percent in 1978. The post‑1999 period saw a gradual re‑acceleration, yet the rate has not returned to the 1970s high, reflecting limited changes in fertility and modest net migration. Demographic momentum, coupled with improving health outcomes, suggests that growth will likely stay near the current level unless policy shifts substantially affect fertility or migration. Continued monitoring of these drivers will determine whether Vanuatu’s trajectory steadies, modestly rises, or begins to decline in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.26% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.27% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.28% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.28% | +0.01pp | #38 |
| 2024 | 2.27% | −0.05pp | #180 |
| 2023 | 2.32% | +0.01pp | #177 |
| 2022 | 2.32% | +0.00pp | #178 |
| 2021 | 2.32% | −0.01pp | #184 |
| 2020 | 2.33% | −0.00pp | #180 |
| 2019 | 2.33% | −0.06pp | #176 |
| 2018 | 2.40% | +0.06pp | #177 |
| 2017 | 2.33% | +0.11pp | #170 |
| 2016 | 2.22% | −0.00pp | #164 |
| 2015 | 2.23% | −0.01pp | #160 |
| 2014 | 2.24% | +0.01pp | #159 |
| 2013 | 2.22% | +0.03pp | #158 |
| 2012 | 2.20% | +0.03pp | #160 |
| 2011 | 2.17% | −0.17pp | #162 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Vanuatu matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanuatu's population growth was 2.28% in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
Vanuatu's population growth peaked at 3.09% in 1978.
The lowest population growth in Vanuatu was 2.07% in 1999.
Vanuatu ranks 38th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Vanuatu's population growth is projected to reach 2.28% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Vanuatu in 2025 was 2.28%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_vanuatu_population-growth,
title = {Vanuatu Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/vanuatu/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}