Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Vanuatu has a small Pacific economy supported by tourism, agriculture, construction, services, and external assistance. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.5%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#71
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.4 pp
2025: +3.1%
Oceania Rank
#3
Out of 14 countries
1. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Economic growth is influenced by tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, household demand, and rebuilding activity after natural disasters.
2. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Vanuatu’s growth history has been shaped by tourism, agriculture, development assistance, and repeated cyclone-related disruptions.
3. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.5% | +0.4 pp |
| 2025 | +3.1% | -0.7 pp |
| 2024 | +3.8% | -2.0 pp |
| 2023 | +5.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 2022 | +5.6% | +6.8 pp |
| 2021 | -1.2% | +4.5 pp |
| 2020 | -5.7% | -9.0 pp |
| 2019 | +3.3% | +0.8 pp |
| 2018 | +2.5% | -1.7 pp |
| 2017 | +4.2% | +0.6 pp |
| 2016 | +3.6% | +0.1 pp |
| 2015 | +3.5% | +0.4 pp |
| 2014 | +3.1% | -0.3 pp |
| 2013 | +3.4% | +2.4 pp |
| 2012 | +1.0% | -2.1 pp |
| 2011 | +3.1% | +1.8 pp |
| 2010 | +1.3% | -1.7 pp |
| 2009 | +3.0% | -2.6 pp |
| 2008 | +5.6% | +2.7 pp |
| 2007 | +2.9% | -5.6 pp |
| 2006 | +8.5% | +3.2 pp |
| 2005 | +5.3% | +1.3 pp |
| 2004 | +4.0% | -0.3 pp |
| 2003 | +4.3% | +9.5 pp |
| 2002 | -5.2% | -1.8 pp |
| 2001 | -3.4% | -9.3 pp |
| 2000 | +5.9% | +5.6 pp |
| 1999 | +0.3% | -0.9 pp |
| 1998 | +1.2% | -3.7 pp |
| 1997 | +4.9% | +2.6 pp |
| 1996 | +2.3% | +1.3 pp |
| 1995 | +1.0% | -8.1 pp |
| 1994 | +9.1% | +8.4 pp |
| 1993 | +0.7% | -1.9 pp |
| 1992 | +2.6% | -0.5 pp |
| 1991 | +3.1% | -8.6 pp |
| 1990 | +11.7% | +10.2 pp |
| 1989 | +1.5% | +3.2 pp |
| 1988 | -1.7% | +1.2 pp |
| 1987 | -2.9% | -2.8 pp |
| 1986 | -0.1% | -1.1 pp |
| 1985 | +1.0% | -8.6 pp |
| 1984 | +9.6% | +6.6 pp |
| 1983 | +3.0% | +1.0 pp |
| 1982 | +2.0% | -2.4 pp |
| 1981 | +4.4% | -1.1 pp |
| 1980 | +5.5% | — |
4. Vanuatu GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.5%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.4%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.5%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+2.8%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from tourism potential and agricultural activity, but extreme climate exposure creates substantial economic volatility.
5. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate vs Oceania and World
Vanuatu
+3.5%
Oceania Average
+2.7%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.8%
3.5%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Vanuatu’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.8 pp
above the
Oceania average
and
0.7 pp
above the world average.
6. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Oceania
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Papua New Guinea | +3.8% |
| #2 | Marshall Islands | +3.7% |
| #3 | Vanuatu | +3.5% |
| #4 | Palau | +3.3% |
| #5 | Samoa | +3.2% |
| #6 | Kiribati | +3.1% |
| #7 | Solomon Islands | +2.8% |
| #8 | Tuvalu | +2.5% |
| #9 | Fiji | +2.4% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Vanuatu
Vanuatu GDP (Nominal)
$1.4 Billion
(2026)
Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate
+3.5%
(2026)
Vanuatu generally experiences more variable growth than larger regional economies because natural disasters can quickly disrupt production and tourism.
Explore more:
Vanuatu GDP
9. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on tourism, reconstruction, agriculture, infrastructure, and external support. Cyclones and climate change remain major risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.1% | -0.4 pp |
| 2028 | +2.8% | -0.3 pp |
| 2029 | +2.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2030 | +2.5% | 0.0 pp |
10. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Vanuatu GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.5% in 2026.
It ranks #71 globally and #3 in Oceania by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.4%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.5%.
The current rate is 0.8 percentage points above the Oceania average.
The current rate is 0.7 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +2.5% in 2030, 1.0 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Vanuatu GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Vanuatu GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.5% in 2026.
Vanuatu ranks #71 globally and #3 in Oceania by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.5% in 2026.
Vanuatu GDP growth rate was +3.5% in 2015.
Vanuatu GDP growth rate is 0.8 percentage points above the Oceania average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.