The HIES provides a wealth of information about household expenditure and income, including so called ‘subsistence activities’ where households produce and consume their own food from the land and sea, provide household supplies like firewood and thatch and other items such as oils, handicrafts and clothing. This report provides the main HIES results, with much more analysis possible from the data than that contained here. There is a separate report containing the results of the poverty analysis of the HIES data.

The 2010 Vanuatu Hardship and Poverty Report, produced by the Vanuatu National Statistics Office and UNDP Pacific Centre, analyzes poverty using data from the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey. It establishes Food and Basic Needs Poverty Lines, measures poverty incidence, depth, and severity, and compares changes from 2006 to 2010.

2006 HIES MAIN REPORT

The 2006 HIES survey was a joint government and donor partner funded activity to derive quantitative statistical information on the income and expenditure of households in urban and rural areas. This analysis report provides not only more detailed, but also revised, information from that contained in the 2007 Preliminary Report. The HIES is a very rich dataset and this report presents the key findings in the main subject areas.

The 2006 Vanuatu HIES report, supported by ADB and UNDP, analyzes poverty using household expenditure data. It sets the Food Poverty Line at VT14,097 and Basic Needs Poverty Line at VT21,692 monthly, with Port Vila having the highest costs. Nationally, 6% of households (7.4% population) are food-poor, and 12.9% (15.9%) fall below basic needs, with Port Vila at 27.2%. Inequality is moderate (Gini 0.41), higher in Port Vila (0.46), with rural areas like Torba and Tafea most affected. Subsistence production eases food poverty, but urbanization and job scarcity worsen hardship. The report urges improvements in education, health, and infrastructure to reduce poverty.

2020 Vanuatu Food Security Analysis Report

The 2020 Vanuatu Food Security Analysis Report, based on the 2019-2020 NSDP Baseline Survey, evaluates food security under SDG indicators 2.1.1 and 2.1.2. It highlights subsistence agriculture's role (80% of population) in reducing food insecurity, despite risks from Cyclone Harold and COVID-19. Urban areas like Port Vila face higher vulnerability due to reliance on imported food. The report recommends boosting local food production, gardening, and fisheries to improve resilience and nutrition.

2020 HARDSHIP ANALYSIS REPORT

The hardship assessment report presents the analysis relevant to the key Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 1.2—proportion of the population living below the international poverty line—and indicator 1.2.1—proportion of the population living below the national poverty line. These indicators help track national progress at ending hardship in all forms, as defi ned by the United Nations and global partners.

2020 HIES Analysis Report

The 2020 Vanuatu Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) Analysis Report, conducted by the Vanuatu National Statistics Office, examines household income, expenditure, and poverty. It updates the Food Poverty Line (FPL) and Basic Needs Poverty Line (BNPL), revealing persistent poverty, particularly in rural areas like Torba and Tafea. The report notes a slight reduction in food poverty compared to 2010, driven by subsistence production. Urban areas, especially Port Vila, face higher poverty rates due to reliance on costly imported goods. It recommends enhancing local agriculture, education, and infrastructure to address poverty and inequality.

2020 Vanuatu HIES Labour Force Monograph

The 2020 Vanuatu Labour Force Monograph analyzes pre-COVID-19 and pre-Cyclone Harold demographics, economic activity, and labour force characteristics. It reports SDG indicators like unemployment (8.5.2), manufacturing employment (9.2.2), youth NEET rate (8.6.1), and NSDP labour force participation (ECO4.6.1). The survey informs national economic and social policies, NSDP evaluation, and SDG reporting. Findings support decision-making for sustainable development and decent work initiatives.

2020 HIES WELLBEING MONOGRAPH

The report you are about to read tells the unique story of well-being in Vanuatu through profi les of happiness, access, knowledge, physical health, and social resilience. The story seeks to incorporate the alternative indicators of well-being with standard metrics to tell one cohesive story that points to both our strengths and our weaknesses. It is up to us as a government and as a nation to fi nd ways to improve the situation for those that are not as fortunate and to create an environment conducive to happiness for everyone in our islands.