Vanuatu is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia. The climate is tropical, moderated by southeast trade winds, with moderate rainfall. May be affected by cyclones from December to April. The official language is Bislama (pidgin English), English and French. The main religion is Christianity. The economy of Vanuatu is built on agriculture, tourism, offshore financial services, and cattle raising. There is substantial fishing activity although this industry doesn't bring in much foreign exchange. Exports include copra, kava, beef, cocoa, and timber, and imports include machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, and fuels. Vanuatu is a tax haven, and offshore financing in Port Vila is an important part of the economy. Vanuatu is still dependent on foreign aid, most of which comes from Australia and New Zealand, although in recent years aid has also come from the People's Republic of China. Expatriate business dress is informal and casual but modest. Ties are not usually required for men. The security risk for expatriates in Vanuatu is low. Risks include low levels of petty crime, burglaries, and rare attacks on lone expatriates in remote areas. Other risks include earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tropical cyclones. The currency of Vanuatu is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV). ATMs are available. Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas. Medical facilities are basic but adequate for routine treatment. Serious or complex medical treatment may require evacuation which can be expensive. Cases of Zika virus, diarrhoea, and water borne diseases have been reported. The population of Vanuatu is 272,500 (2019 est.), while the inflation rate (CPI) is 1.9% for Vanuatu as at December 2018. Xpatulator Hypothetical Tax for Vanuatu is based on the current personal income tax rate of 0% as there is currently no personal income tax.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in In Vanuatu, the cost of each basket, based on local prices, compared to the international average, is categorized follows (Exact cost of living percentages only available in personalised reports): Vanuatu as at 1 April 2019 is high in comparison to other places in the world. 1) Alcohol (where available) & Tobacco: High 2) Clothing: Average 3) Communication: Very High 4) Education: Average 5) Furniture & Appliances: Very High 6) Groceries: Very High 7) Healthcare: Low 8) Household Accommodation: Average 9) Miscellaneous: Average 10) Personal Care: Very Low 11) Recreation & Culture: Average 12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Very High 13) Transport: Low Vanuatu is for example 30.8% more expensive than USA for groceries, -11.9% cheaper for household costs than UK, and 61% more expensive for transport costs than India. The hardship premium for Vanuatu for an expat from Australia, is for example 20%, i.e. host location (Vanuatu) premium of 30% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%. Vanuatu is ranked as a high degree of hardship location. Want to know more about cost of living, hardship (quality of living) or expat salary in Vanuatu? Register subscribe to your home location and Vanuatu and run your personalised reports.