Vanuatu

flag of Vanuatu map of Vanuatu

On March 2, 2006 the MCC signed a five-year, $65.69 million compact with Vanuatu, which will focus on addressing the country’s poor infrastructure to benefit rural agricultural producers and providers of tourist-related goods and services.    

MCA Status

Vanuatu's compact entered-into-force on April 28, 2006. The compact will focus on addressing the country's poor transportation infrastructure. Vanuatu's program includes two primary components: civil works for the reconstruction of priority transport infrastructure including roads, wharfs, an airstrip and warehouses, and institutional strengthening in the public works department. The compact was formally restructured in early 2008 due to several circumstances including escalating global construction costs and currency fluctuations. The construction and sealing of two national roads, the Efate Ring road and the Santo East Coast road, is the focus of the restructured compact. In June of 2009, the government of Vanuatu signed a funding agreement with the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) to provide additional funding support to the project.

Country Compact

Vanuatu MCC compact
Vanuatu's Monitoring and Evaluation plan
MCA-Vanuatu website 

Country Eligibility

In the FY2011 selection process, Vanuatu scored above the median on all six Ruling Justly indicators, three of five Investing in People indicators, and two of six Economic Freedom indicators. Vanuatu is a lower middle income country (LMIC).

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2011 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2010 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2009 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu’s performance on the FY2008 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu’s performance on the FY2007 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2006 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2005 selection indicators

Review Vanuatu's performance on the FY2004 selection indicators

Learn more about the MCC's country selection process 

Country Facts

Data are for 2009 (or most recent year available)

 Per capita income (GNI, current US$) $2,620
 Poverty rate ($2 a day) N/A
 GDP growth (annual) 4.0%
 Population, total 239,788
 Rural population (% of total) 75%
 Life expectancy 70 yrs
 Literacy rate 81%

Source: World Development Indicators 2010

Vanuatu Country Brief from the World Bank 

Other US Policies

USAID does not maintain ongoing programs in Vanuatu.

Other Donors

The top three donors to Vanuatu in 2009 were:

Donor
Gross ODA,
2008-2009 average 
(USD millions)
 Australia
33
 United States
24
 Japan
14

Source: OECD/DAC Database
*ODA is Official Development Assistance
 

Other Resources

MCC Vanuatu website

Department of State country profile providing background on Vanuatu’s history and U.S.-Vanuatu relations 

Review a summary of World Bank projects in the Pacific Islands