Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development

Country Vanuatu flag Profile

Vanuatu

Half of the population of Vanuatu lives on the country’s three largest islands, Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate. Three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas. Those who live in urban areas live primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville.

Demographics

  • Population

    307,150

  • Annual births

    8,838

  • Children under five years old

    0.14

  • Under-five mortality

    26

    per 1,000 live births

ECD Indices

  • ECDI

    No data

    Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) is an overall index score capturing the percentage of children aged 36-59 months who are on track in at least three of four domains. This is currently represented in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) that assesses children aged 36-59 months in four domains: language/literacy, numeracy, physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development. Mothers or primary caregivers are asked 20 questions about the way their children behave in certain everyday situations, and the skills and knowledge they have acquired. (Click here to know more.)

  • Lifetime cost of growth deficit in early childhood

    159%

    The Human Capital Index is a summary measure of the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to acquire by age 18, given the risks of poor health and poor education that prevail in the country where she lives. (Click here to know more.)

  • Human capital index

    0.45

    The Human Capital Index is a summary measure of the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to acquire by age 18, given the risks of poor health and poor education that prevail in the country where she lives. (Click here to know more.)

Threats to early childhood development

  • Maternal mortality

    72

    per 100,000 births

  • Low birthweight

    11%

    of all births

  • Under-five stunting

    28%

    of all births

  • Child poverty

    18%

    of all births

  • Violent discipline

    86%

    of all births

  • Preterm births

    10%

    of all births

  • Young mothers (births by 18 years)

    13%

    of all births

  • Inadequate supervision

    No data

    of all births

Nurturing care

Healthcare

  • Antenatal care

    52%

  • Postnatal visits

    No data

Nutrition

  • Early initiation of breastfeeding

    No data

  • Exclusive breastfeeding

    No data

  • Minimum acceptable diet

    No data

Early learning

  • Attendance in ECD

    No data

  • Early stimulation at home

    No data

  • Children's books in the home

    No data

Security and safety

  • Birth registration

    43%

  • Positive discipline

    7%

  • Basic drinking water

    91%

  • Basic sanitation

    34%

Responsive caregiving

Enabling environments

  • Paid maternity leave

    <14 weeks

  • Paid paternity leave

    No paid leave

  • Child and family social protection

    No

  • National ECD Policy

    No

  • ECD Coordination Mechanism

    Yes