Urban Population: Vanuatu
Vanuatu's urban population is currently 22.3% as of 2024. # Vanuatu Urban Population Vanuatu's urban population currently stands at 22.
Current (2024)
22.3%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2016)
24.9%
Low (1960)
8.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Vanuatu
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Vanuatu
Analysis# Vanuatu Urban Population
Vanuatu's urban population currently stands at 22.287% in 2024, down from its all-time peak of 24.865% in 2016. Since 1960, when only 7.976% of the population lived in urban areas, the nation has experienced substantial urbanization—a cumulative increase of 179.4% over six decades. This long-term growth reflects broader development patterns across the Pacific region, though recent years have reversed the upward momentum.
The peak in 2016 marked a critical inflection point. From that year forward, urban population share has declined steadily, dropping 2.6 percentage points by 2024. This reversal suggests either rural migration patterns shifting or demographic changes affecting urban centers. The consistent downward trend from 2016 through 2024 indicates urbanization in Vanuatu has plateaued and entered a contraction phase, a pattern worth monitoring against the country's economic and infrastructure development trajectories.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22.3% | +0.10% |
| 2023 | 22.3% | +0.05% |
| 2022 | 22.3% | +0.02% |
| 2021 | 22.3% | -0.75% |
| 2020 | 22.4% | -4.61% |
| 2019 | 23.5% | -3.18% |
| 2018 | 24.3% | -1.98% |
| 2017 | 24.8% | -0.41% |
| 2016 | 24.9% | +0.01% |
| 2015 | 24.9% | +0.03% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | +0.06% |
| 2013 | 24.8% | +0.09% |
| 2012 | 24.8% | +0.13% |
| 2011 | 24.8% | +0.17% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | +1.88% |
| 2009 | 24.3% | +1.50% |
| 2008 | 23.9% | +1.41% |
| 2007 | 23.6% | +1.32% |
| 2006 | 23.3% | +1.25% |
| 2005 | 23.0% | +1.20% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 22.7% | +1.18% |
| 2003 | 22.5% | +1.18% |
| 2002 | 22.2% | +1.22% |
| 2001 | 21.9% | +1.28% |
| 2000 | 21.7% | +1.35% |
| 1999 | 21.4% | +1.37% |
| 1998 | 21.1% | +1.36% |
| 1997 | 20.8% | +1.35% |
| 1996 | 20.5% | +1.37% |
| 1995 | 20.2% | +1.40% |
| 1994 | 20.0% | +1.45% |
| 1993 | 19.7% | +1.51% |
| 1992 | 19.4% | +1.58% |
| 1991 | 19.1% | +1.68% |
| 1990 | 18.8% | +1.80% |
| 1989 | 18.4% | +1.95% |
| 1988 | 18.1% | +2.13% |
| 1987 | 17.7% | +2.30% |
| 1986 | 17.3% | +2.45% |
| 1985 | 16.9% | +2.57% |
| 1984 | 16.5% | +2.68% |
| 1983 | 16.0% | +2.75% |
| 1982 | 15.6% | +2.81% |
| 1981 | 15.2% | +2.82% |
| 1980 | 14.8% | +2.79% |
| 1979 | 14.4% | +2.78% |
| 1978 | 14.0% | +2.79% |
| 1977 | 13.6% | +2.86% |
| 1976 | 13.2% | +2.90% |
| 1975 | 12.8% | +2.97% |
| 1974 | 12.5% | +3.02% |
| 1973 | 12.1% | +3.09% |
| 1972 | 11.7% | +3.15% |
| 1971 | 11.4% | +3.21% |
| 1970 | 11.0% | +3.28% |
| 1969 | 10.7% | +3.36% |
| 1968 | 10.3% | +3.43% |
| 1967 | 10.0% | +3.16% |
| 1966 | 9.7% | +3.14% |
| 1965 | 9.4% | +3.23% |
| 1964 | 9.1% | +3.28% |
| 1963 | 8.8% | +3.32% |
| 1962 | 8.5% | +3.38% |
| 1961 | 8.2% | +3.42% |
| 1960 | 8.0% | — |
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