1.1. Geographic setting
Vanuatu consists of six provinces, Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea. The country is spread over an area of 612,300 km² in the South Pacific and has a total land area of 12,281 km². It stretches from Hiu Island up north to the Matthew and Hunter Islands down south and includes 83 main islands, of which about 63 are permanently inhabited. Port Vila, the capital, is located on the island of Efate in Shefa province. Efate is the most populated island, although Santo Island (Sanma province) is the biggest in terms of land area. Port Vila is 1,288 km due south east of Honiara, Solomon Islands; 1,071 km west of Suva, Fiji; and 2,394 km east of Cairns, Australia (see map).
1.2. Background
This report is a collaborative effort between the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics (VBS) and the Statistics for Development Division (SDD) of the Pacific Community (SPC). The report is based on data collected during the population census enumeration, with 16 November 2020 being census day. The main purpose of this report is to:
- provide a general overview of the vast amount of detailed information that is available from the 2020 census enumeration;
- generate interest, curiosity and a desire for more detailed information, especially by Vanuatu decision-makers and the general public; and
- enhance the decision-making process used by policy-makers.