Over
Countries
0
Since 1924
Years
0
Over
Since 1924
Area
12,189 sq. km.
Population
338,481 (2025).
Capital
Port-Vila.
Currency
Vatu (VUV).
Language(s)
English (official), French (official), Bislama (official) (a pidgin dialect) and more than 100 local languages.
This small Pacific archipelago, formerly known as the New Hebrides and ruled since 1906 as a joint British-French Condominium, gained its independence on July 30, 1980. Since 2002, the government has made efforts to boost tourism. Vanuatu’s economic development has been hindered by low exports, natural disasters and remoteness. Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity and is subject to tropical cyclones, minor earthquakes and tsunamis.
Remarks on intellectual property: the Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office (VIPO) Bill 2024/2025 is currently before Parliament, which proposes to establish a statutory Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office with a Registrar General and an IP Board, transitioning from the current ministerial structure.