Vanuatu has a birth rate of 28.1 (annual births per 1,000 people) and a fertility rate of 3.6 (the average amount of children a woman would have during her lifetime).
In 1960, the fertility rate in Vanuatu was 6.78 children per woman — 1.89 times higher than in 2023.
Vanuatu birth rate statistics:
- Vanuatu is ranked 40/196 by birth rate now and was ranked 91/194 in 1960.
- The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28, a change from 29.1 in 1990.
- Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) changed from 95.7 in 1960 to 66.2 in 2023.
- 24.3% of the population in 2024 is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), a change from 20.7% in 1960.
- Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was 2.3% — 7,359 more people were born than died.
Birth rates in Vanuatu compared to world average
Vanuatu
|
World
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Fertility rate | 3.6 | 2.2 |
| Birth rate | 28.1 | 16.3 |
| Birth rate rank | 40/196 | N/A |
| Average age at childbearing | 28 years | 28.3 years |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 | 65.3 | 37.6 |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 | 189 | 120.4 |
| Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ | 49.9 | 22 |
| Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population | 24.3% | 24.4% |
| Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 | 37.1% | 54.1% |
| Share of births attended by skilled health staff | 89.4% | 83.3% |
| Maternal mortality per live birth | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) | 0.87% | 1.73% |
| Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) | 1.42% | 2.71% |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age, per 1,000 live births | 1.68% | 2.49% |
| Population change due to births and deaths | +7,359 | +70,600,901 |
| Natural population change rank | 121/196 | N/A |
| Natural population change rate | +2.3% | +0.88% |
| Population growth | +2.3% | +0.96% |
| Population growth rank | 40/197 | N/A |
| Life expectancy | 71.8 years | 73.5 years |
Fertility rate in Vanuatu chart
According to the latest birth rate data available, the fertility rate in Vanuatu is 3.6, which is above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. In 1993, the fertility rate was 5.02 — a -28.4% decline in 30 years.
Check population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.
The chart below showcases the historical changes in birth rates.
Vanuatu
Factual
UN forecast
World
Factual
UN forecast
Births per woman
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Vanuatu
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | 6.78 | 4.69 |
| 1961 | 6.73 | 4.56 |
| 1962 | 6.67 | 5.02 |
| 1963 | 6.62 | 5.31 |
| 1964 | 6.57 | 5.13 |
| 1965 | 6.52 | 5.08 |
| 1966 | 6.51 | 4.97 |
| 1967 | 6.51 | 4.87 |
| 1968 | 6.46 | 4.98 |
| 1969 | 6.41 | 4.88 |
| 1970 | 6.35 | 4.84 |
| 1971 | 6.29 | 4.69 |
| 1972 | 6.23 | 4.55 |
| 1973 | 6.15 | 4.42 |
| 1974 | 6.06 | 4.26 |
| 1975 | 5.98 | 4.07 |
| 1976 | 5.89 | 3.97 |
| 1977 | 5.81 | 3.84 |
| 1978 | 5.77 | 3.77 |
| 1979 | 5.73 | 3.76 |
| 1980 | 5.69 | 3.73 |
| 1981 | 5.65 | 3.71 |
| 1982 | 5.6 | 3.72 |
| 1983 | 5.55 | 3.59 |
| 1984 | 5.49 | 3.57 |
| 1985 | 5.43 | 3.53 |
| 1986 | 5.38 | 3.51 |
| 1987 | 5.33 | 3.48 |
| 1988 | 5.27 | 3.39 |
| 1989 | 5.21 | 3.35 |
| 1990 | 5.17 | 3.31 |
| 1991 | 5.13 | 3.13 |
| 1992 | 5.09 | 3.04 |
| 1993 | 5.02 | 2.97 |
| 1994 | 4.94 | 2.92 |
| 1995 | 4.85 | 2.87 |
| 1996 | 4.75 | 2.82 |
| 1997 | 4.66 | 2.78 |
| 1998 | 4.6 | 2.75 |
| 1999 | 4.56 | 2.72 |
| 2000 | 4.54 | 2.73 |
| 2001 | 4.5 | 2.69 |
| 2002 | 4.38 | 2.66 |
| 2003 | 4.29 | 2.64 |
| 2004 | 4.21 | 2.63 |
| 2005 | 4.13 | 2.61 |
| 2006 | 4.1 | 2.61 |
| 2007 | 4.12 | 2.6 |
| 2008 | 4.16 | 2.6 |
| 2009 | 4.16 | 2.59 |
| 2010 | 4.13 | 2.57 |
| 2011 | 4.09 | 2.55 |
| 2012 | 4.06 | 2.56 |
| 2013 | 4.04 | 2.53 |
| 2014 | 4 | 2.52 |
| 2015 | 3.95 | 2.49 |
| 2016 | 3.92 | 2.49 |
| 2017 | 3.88 | 2.46 |
| 2018 | 3.83 | 2.39 |
| 2019 | 3.79 | 2.35 |
| 2020 | 3.74 | 2.28 |
| 2021 | 3.7 | 2.25 |
| 2022 | 3.65 | 2.22 |
| 2023 | 3.6 | 2.2 |
| 2024 | 3.57 | 2.19 |
| 2025 | 3.53 | 2.18 |
| 2026 | 3.5 | 2.18 |
| 2027 | 3.46 | 2.17 |
| 2028 | 3.42 | 2.16 |
| 2029 | 3.39 | 2.15 |
| 2030 | 3.35 | 2.14 |
| 2031 | 3.32 | 2.13 |
| 2032 | 3.28 | 2.12 |
| 2033 | 3.25 | 2.12 |
| 2034 | 3.21 | 2.11 |
| 2035 | 3.18 | 2.1 |
| 2036 | 3.15 | 2.09 |
| 2037 | 3.13 | 2.09 |
| 2038 | 3.1 | 2.08 |
| 2039 | 3.08 | 2.08 |
| 2040 | 3.05 | 2.08 |
| 2041 | 3.03 | 2.07 |
| 2042 | 3 | 2.07 |
| 2043 | 2.97 | 2.07 |
| 2044 | 2.94 | 2.07 |
| 2045 | 2.92 | 2.06 |
| 2046 | 2.9 | 2.06 |
| 2047 | 2.88 | 2.06 |
| 2048 | 2.85 | 2.05 |
| 2049 | 2.83 | 2.05 |
| 2050 | 2.8 | 2.05 |
Birth rates by women ages chart
In 2025, of all live births 11.6% were to women under 20 years old, 54.2% to women ages 20-29, and 34.2% to women ages 30 and above. In comparison, the percentages in 1990 were 10.7%, 53.7%, and 35.7% for the same age groups respectively. A chart displaying the historical birth rates in Vanuatu by maternal age is provided below.
Annual births per 1,000 women ages
15-19
20-29
30+
| Year | Annual births per 1,000 women | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total per 1,000 women | 15-19 | 20-29 | 30+ | |
| 1960 | 96.2 | 95.4 | 325 | 121.1 |
| 1961 | 95.5 | 95 | 323 | 121.2 |
| 1962 | 94.8 | 94.5 | 321 | 120.4 |
| 1963 | 94 | 93.8 | 318 | 120 |
| 1964 | 93.1 | 92.7 | 316 | 119.6 |
| 1965 | 92.4 | 92.3 | 314 | 119 |
| 1966 | 92 | 92.1 | 313 | 119 |
| 1967 | 91.8 | 92.6 | 313 | 119.2 |
| 1968 | 91.3 | 91.8 | 309 | 119.7 |
| 1969 | 91.1 | 90.9 | 307 | 118.7 |
| 1970 | 90.8 | 90.6 | 304 | 117.6 |
| 1971 | 90.6 | 90.2 | 301 | 116.9 |
| 1972 | 90.1 | 90.2 | 298.3 | 115.8 |
| 1973 | 89.5 | 89.6 | 294.8 | 114.5 |
| 1974 | 88.5 | 88.9 | 290.4 | 112.9 |
| 1975 | 87.7 | 88.2 | 286.8 | 111.4 |
| 1976 | 86.7 | 87.4 | 282.5 | 109.3 |
| 1977 | 85.7 | 87.3 | 278.8 | 107.7 |
| 1978 | 85.5 | 87.7 | 276.5 | 107 |
| 1979 | 88.7 | 85.8 | 264.1 | 117.8 |
| 1980 | 91.6 | 90.1 | 273.4 | 107.3 |
| 1981 | 92.1 | 90.9 | 271.6 | 109.1 |
| 1982 | 92.1 | 91.5 | 269.4 | 110.4 |
| 1983 | 91.7 | 91.7 | 267 | 111.3 |
| 1984 | 91 | 91.5 | 264.3 | 112 |
| 1985 | 90 | 90.7 | 261.9 | 112 |
| 1986 | 89 | 89.7 | 259.6 | 111.9 |
| 1987 | 87.7 | 88.4 | 257.4 | 111.7 |
| 1988 | 86.2 | 87.3 | 255.1 | 110.8 |
| 1989 | 84.7 | 86.2 | 252.4 | 109.4 |
| 1990 | 83.4 | 85.8 | 250 | 108.8 |
| 1991 | 82.3 | 85.7 | 248 | 107.6 |
| 1992 | 81 | 86.9 | 246.3 | 106.4 |
| 1993 | 79.2 | 90.2 | 243.4 | 103.7 |
| 1994 | 77 | 88.5 | 239.8 | 100.7 |
| 1995 | 74.7 | 79.8 | 236 | 97.4 |
| 1996 | 72.4 | 71.1 | 231.9 | 93.6 |
| 1997 | 70.2 | 67.7 | 229.4 | 89.1 |
| 1998 | 68.9 | 72.8 | 228.6 | 85.9 |
| 1999 | 68 | 76.6 | 226.6 | 82.7 |
| 2000 | 67.7 | 78 | 223.4 | 80.1 |
| 2001 | 67.4 | 79.5 | 221.4 | 77.5 |
| 2002 | 66.3 | 77.7 | 217.8 | 73.5 |
| 2003 | 65.6 | 76.4 | 215.5 | 70.5 |
| 2004 | 65.2 | 75.5 | 213.7 | 67.8 |
| 2005 | 64.7 | 74.3 | 211.7 | 64.9 |
| 2006 | 64.9 | 73.7 | 211.3 | 63.3 |
| 2007 | 65.8 | 73.3 | 213.1 | 61.5 |
| 2008 | 67 | 73.6 | 215.6 | 59.3 |
| 2009 | 67.4 | 73.4 | 216 | 57.3 |
| 2010 | 67.7 | 74 | 215.7 | 56.9 |
| 2011 | 67.8 | 74.9 | 215.1 | 56.6 |
| 2012 | 67.9 | 75.5 | 214.1 | 56.3 |
| 2013 | 67.9 | 75.6 | 213.2 | 56.8 |
| 2014 | 67.5 | 75.2 | 211.4 | 56.9 |
| 2015 | 66.8 | 74.3 | 209.2 | 56.8 |
| 2016 | 66.1 | 73.3 | 207.6 | 56.8 |
| 2017 | 65.2 | 72.3 | 206.6 | 56.5 |
| 2018 | 63.8 | 71.2 | 204.5 | 56.1 |
| 2019 | 62.2 | 70.1 | 202 | 55.5 |
| 2020 | 60.6 | 69.1 | 198.9 | 54.6 |
| 2021 | 59.3 | 68.1 | 196.6 | 54 |
| 2022 | 57.9 | 67.2 | 194 | 53.1 |
| 2023 | 56.7 | 66.2 | 191.5 | 52.1 |
| 2024 | 55.6 | 65.9 | 190.6 | 51.2 |
| 2025 | 54.7 | 65.3 | 189 | 49.9 |
Children 0-14 years as share of population
Vanuatu
Factual
UN forecast
World
Factual
UN forecast
| Year | Children 0-14 as share of population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Vanuatu
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | 44.6% | 37.4% |
| 1961 | 44.8% | 37.5% |
| 1962 | 45.1% | 37.6% |
| 1963 | 45.2% | 37.8% |
| 1964 | 45.4% | 38% |
| 1965 | 45.5% | 38% |
| 1966 | 45.7% | 38% |
| 1967 | 45.8% | 38% |
| 1968 | 45.8% | 37.9% |
| 1969 | 45.8% | 37.8% |
| 1970 | 45.7% | 37.7% |
| 1971 | 45.7% | 37.6% |
| 1972 | 45.6% | 37.5% |
| 1973 | 45.5% | 37.3% |
| 1974 | 45.5% | 37.2% |
| 1975 | 45.4% | 37.1% |
| 1976 | 45.2% | 36.9% |
| 1977 | 45.1% | 36.7% |
| 1978 | 45% | 36.3% |
| 1979 | 44.5% | 35.9% |
| 1980 | 44% | 35.5% |
| 1981 | 43.9% | 35.2% |
| 1982 | 44% | 34.9% |
| 1983 | 44% | 34.6% |
| 1984 | 44.1% | 34.3% |
| 1985 | 44.2% | 34% |
| 1986 | 44.2% | 33.8% |
| 1987 | 44.1% | 33.6% |
| 1988 | 44.1% | 33.4% |
| 1989 | 44% | 33.2% |
| 1990 | 43.9% | 33% |
| 1991 | 43.9% | 32.9% |
| 1992 | 44.1% | 32.7% |
| 1993 | 44.8% | 32.5% |
| 1994 | 45.2% | 32.3% |
| 1995 | 45% | 32.1% |
| 1996 | 44.8% | 31.8% |
| 1997 | 44.4% | 31.5% |
| 1998 | 44% | 31.1% |
| 1999 | 43.5% | 30.8% |
| 2000 | 42.9% | 30.4% |
| 2001 | 42.4% | 30% |
| 2002 | 41.8% | 29.6% |
| 2003 | 41.3% | 29.2% |
| 2004 | 40.7% | 28.8% |
| 2005 | 40.2% | 28.5% |
| 2006 | 39.6% | 28.1% |
| 2007 | 39.2% | 27.9% |
| 2008 | 38.8% | 27.6% |
| 2009 | 38.5% | 27.5% |
| 2010 | 38.2% | 27.3% |
| 2011 | 38.1% | 27.1% |
| 2012 | 38.2% | 27% |
| 2013 | 38.2% | 26.9% |
| 2014 | 38.4% | 26.8% |
| 2015 | 38.5% | 26.6% |
| 2016 | 38.7% | 26.5% |
| 2017 | 38.8% | 26.4% |
| 2018 | 38.9% | 26.2% |
| 2019 | 39% | 26% |
| 2020 | 39% | 25.8% |
| 2021 | 39% | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 38.8% | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 38.6% | 25% |
| 2024 | 38.3% | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 38% | 24.4% |
| 2026 | 37.6% | 24.1% |
| 2027 | 37.1% | 23.8% |
| 2028 | 36.7% | 23.4% |
| 2029 | 36.2% | 23.1% |
| 2030 | 35.8% | 22.8% |
| 2031 | 35.3% | 22.6% |
| 2032 | 34.9% | 22.3% |
| 2033 | 34.5% | 22.1% |
| 2034 | 34.1% | 21.9% |
| 2035 | 33.7% | 21.7% |
| 2036 | 33.4% | 21.6% |
| 2037 | 33.2% | 21.5% |
| 2038 | 32.9% | 21.4% |
| 2039 | 32.7% | 21.3% |
| 2040 | 32.5% | 21.2% |
| 2041 | 32.3% | 21.1% |
| 2042 | 32.2% | 21% |
| 2043 | 32% | 21% |
| 2044 | 31.8% | 20.9% |
| 2045 | 31.6% | 20.8% |
| 2046 | 31.5% | 20.7% |
| 2047 | 31.3% | 20.7% |
| 2048 | 31.1% | 20.6% |
| 2049 | 30.9% | 20.5% |
| 2050 | 30.6% | 20.4% |
The share of children aged 0-14 in Vanuatu was 44.6% in 1960, 44.8% in 1993, and 38.3% as of the latest data in 2025.
More about the demographics of Vanuatu.
Natural population change by year
For the past 10 years, the natural population change in Vanuatu, excluding migration, has been +2.53% annually. On average, 7,294 more people were born each year than died.
Population change due to births and deaths
| Year | Population change due to births and deaths |
|---|---|
|
Vanuatu
|
|
| 1960 | 1,796 |
| 1961 | 1,872 |
| 1962 | 1,947 |
| 1963 | 2,025 |
| 1964 | 2,098 |
| 1965 | 2,180 |
| 1966 | 2,278 |
| 1967 | 2,384 |
| 1968 | 2,470 |
| 1969 | 2,529 |
| 1970 | 2,597 |
| 1971 | 2,685 |
| 1972 | 2,775 |
| 1973 | 2,876 |
| 1974 | 2,968 |
| 1975 | 3,074 |
| 1976 | 3,174 |
| 1977 | 3,285 |
| 1978 | 3,428 |
| 1979 | 3,590 |
| 1980 | 3,383 |
| 1981 | 3,592 |
| 1982 | 3,778 |
| 1983 | 3,944 |
| 1984 | 4,088 |
| 1985 | 4,219 |
| 1986 | 4,360 |
| 1987 | 4,427 |
| 1988 | 4,577 |
| 1989 | 4,656 |
| 1990 | 4,762 |
| 1991 | 4,859 |
| 1992 | 4,941 |
| 1993 | 4,973 |
| 1994 | 4,973 |
| 1995 | 4,945 |
| 1996 | 4,897 |
| 1997 | 4,854 |
| 1998 | 4,866 |
| 1999 | 4,871 |
| 2000 | 5,026 |
| 2001 | 5,144 |
| 2002 | 5,181 |
| 2003 | 5,258 |
| 2004 | 5,353 |
| 2005 | 5,454 |
| 2006 | 5,606 |
| 2007 | 5,842 |
| 2008 | 6,138 |
| 2009 | 6,362 |
| 2010 | 6,548 |
| 2011 | 6,715 |
| 2012 | 6,877 |
| 2013 | 7,036 |
| 2014 | 7,143 |
| 2015 | 7,220 |
| 2016 | 7,315 |
| 2017 | 7,371 |
| 2018 | 7,379 |
| 2019 | 7,364 |
| 2020 | 7,233 |
| 2021 | 7,199 |
| 2022 | 7,358 |
| 2023 | 7,359 |
Fertility rates around the globe
Fertility rate
Maternal mortality chart
The maternal mortality rate in Vanuatu was 100 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 — a 0.1% chance of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination. This is a -24.8% decrease compared to the year 2000.
Vanuatu
World's average
| Year | Maternal mortality per 100K births | |
|---|---|---|
|
Vanuatu
|
World
|
|
| 1985 | 211 | 460 |
| 1986 | 194 | 438 |
| 1987 | 200 | 429 |
| 1988 | 172 | 414 |
| 1989 | 162 | 401 |
| 1990 | 151 | 391 |
| 1991 | 140 | 395 |
| 1992 | 140 | 395 |
| 1993 | 133 | 389 |
| 1994 | 131 | 382 |
| 1995 | 131 | 371 |
| 1996 | 129 | 366 |
| 1997 | 131 | 358 |
| 1998 | 134 | 360 |
| 1999 | 146 | 340 |
| 2000 | 133 | 328 |
| 2001 | 132 | 321 |
| 2002 | 128 | 311 |
| 2003 | 131 | 301 |
| 2004 | 131 | 291 |
| 2005 | 127 | 283 |
| 2006 | 123 | 276 |
| 2007 | 120 | 269 |
| 2008 | 117 | 264 |
| 2009 | 114 | 258 |
| 2010 | 114 | 253 |
| 2011 | 112 | 247 |
| 2012 | 109 | 239 |
| 2013 | 110 | 235 |
| 2014 | 110 | 231 |
| 2015 | 109 | 228 |
| 2016 | 107 | 220 |
| 2017 | 107 | 215 |
| 2018 | 108 | 211 |
| 2019 | 105 | 207 |
| 2020 | 107 | 211 |
| 2021 | 124 | 242 |
| 2022 | 105 | 203 |
| 2023 | 100 | 197 |
Under-five mortality rate chart
The under-5 mortality rate in Vanuatu was 16.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 — a 1.68% chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five. This is down from 26.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000.
Vanuatu
World's average
Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five
| Year | Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age, per 1,000 live births | |
|---|---|---|
|
Vanuatu
|
World
|
|
| 1960 | 15.2% | 18.5% |
| 1961 | 14.7% | 18.1% |
| 1962 | 14.3% | 17.8% |
| 1963 | 13.8% | 17.5% |
| 1964 | 13.4% | 17.7% |
| 1965 | 12.9% | 17.5% |
| 1966 | 12.4% | 17.3% |
| 1967 | 12% | 17% |
| 1968 | 11.5% | 16.5% |
| 1969 | 11% | 15.5% |
| 1970 | 10.6% | 15.2% |
| 1971 | 10.2% | 15.1% |
| 1972 | 9.73% | 14.4% |
| 1973 | 9.34% | 14.1% |
| 1974 | 8.95% | 13.7% |
| 1975 | 8.58% | 13.4% |
| 1976 | 8.21% | 13% |
| 1977 | 7.84% | 12.5% |
| 1978 | 7.45% | 12.1% |
| 1979 | 7.07% | 11.7% |
| 1980 | 6.67% | 11.4% |
| 1981 | 6.27% | 11% |
| 1982 | 5.87% | 10.8% |
| 1983 | 5.48% | 10.6% |
| 1984 | 5.12% | 10.4% |
| 1985 | 4.78% | 10.1% |
| 1986 | 4.47% | 9.81% |
| 1987 | 4.2% | 9.47% |
| 1988 | 3.96% | 9.31% |
| 1989 | 3.76% | 9.02% |
| 1990 | 3.58% | 8.81% |
| 1991 | 3.43% | 8.66% |
| 1992 | 3.29% | 8.46% |
| 1993 | 3.18% | 8.19% |
| 1994 | 3.08% | 7.98% |
| 1995 | 3% | 7.76% |
| 1996 | 2.92% | 7.52% |
| 1997 | 2.86% | 7.28% |
| 1998 | 2.79% | 7.05% |
| 1999 | 2.74% | 6.76% |
| 2000 | 2.68% | 6.48% |
| 2001 | 2.63% | 6.21% |
| 2002 | 2.58% | 5.94% |
| 2003 | 2.54% | 5.65% |
| 2004 | 2.5% | 5.43% |
| 2005 | 2.45% | 5.16% |
| 2006 | 2.4% | 4.92% |
| 2007 | 2.34% | 4.7% |
| 2008 | 2.27% | 4.5% |
| 2009 | 2.2% | 4.31% |
| 2010 | 2.12% | 4.11% |
| 2011 | 2.05% | 3.97% |
| 2012 | 1.99% | 3.77% |
| 2013 | 1.94% | 3.61% |
| 2014 | 1.9% | 3.48% |
| 2015 | 1.87% | 3.35% |
| 2016 | 1.84% | 3.23% |
| 2017 | 1.82% | 3.11% |
| 2018 | 1.8% | 2.97% |
| 2019 | 1.78% | 2.86% |
| 2020 | 1.77% | 2.75% |
| 2021 | 1.74% | 2.66% |
| 2022 | 1.71% | 2.59% |
| 2023 | 1.68% | 2.49% |
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Birth rate comparisons
