Well-being
Well-Being in Vanuatu Official statistics published on the state of well-being in Vanuatu offers tools for gauging progress that are aligned more closely to the expressed needs reflected in the People’s Plan. The Government of Vanuatu began collecting data on individual and community well-being in 2010 as part of its initiative to develop and integrate alternative indicators of well-being that reflect Melanesian values. The objective was to supplement standard economic and social indicators with information that provides context for a better picture of the welfare of the population. Several indicators from the pilot study have since been adopted as key monitoring and evaluation indicators for the People’s Plan. The NSDP Baseline Survey produced a comprehensive data set expected to report on 38 key NSDP monitoring and evaluation indicators and 23 UN Sustainable Development Goal target indicators, making it the largest and most informative household survey we have undertaken as a nation. The data will be joined with 2020 National Population and Housing Census data using small area estimation in order to provide valuable estimates of key indicators at the Area Council level. Initial reporting only grazes the top of this informative data set that offers insights into the current state of Vanuatu’s well-being from a wide range of perspectives. This report, compiled by the VNSO, tells the unique story of well-being in Vanuatu through profiles of happiness, access, knowledge, physical health, and social resilience. The story seeks to incorporate the alternative indicators of well-being in with standard metrics for a more comprehensive record of our strengths and our weaknesses in 2019-2020. It is up to us as a government and as a nation to find ways to improve the situation for those in need and create an environment conducive to happiness for everyone in our islands.
Labour Market
Labour Market Monograph Vanuatu was among the first Pacific countries to implement the labour force module as part of this expanded Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), which is in line with the latest international standards on labour force statistics, and provides core data on the labour force. Detailed information on the labour force is not updated quarterly or even annually in Vanuatu as it is in other countries. Use of the expanded HIES to address needs of the People’s Plan opened another opportunity for the VNSO to collect critical labour statistics linked to policy. The VNSO’s 10-Year Data Collection Plan establishes a priority for a more in-depth labour force survey to be undertaken, however, attempts to finance the project have not yet succeeded. The data collected from the NSDP Baseline Survey yielded good quality data that is useful for targeted labour statistics. This Labour Force Monograph presents the analysis of characteristics of demographics, economic activity, and labour force of Vanuatu, as captured before the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic and effects of Tropical Cyclone Harold. The labour force module is an essential tool to inform a wide range of national economic and social policies. Reporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 8.5.2 (unemployment rate), SDG 9.2.2 (manufacturing employment),and NSDP indicator ECO 4.6.1 (labour force participation), the findings from this survey can also inform decision-making, reporting, and evaluation of the NSDP and SDGs. The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management remain committed to producing quality labour statistics available for all users. This report was produced for the VNSO by the International Labour Organization.
Food Security
Food Security In Vanuatu The food security of the people of Vanuatu is a priority of the Government. The first goal under the Environment Pillar of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2016-2030 envisions, “a nation that ensures our food and nutrition security needs are adequately met for all people through increasing sustainable food production systems and improving household production.” As our population grows, so does the demand for food. Growth in agricultural productivity must meet or exceed the rate of population growth in order for Vanuatu to have a future that is food secure. It is the responsibility of the government to enhance agricultural production, improve traditional agricultural practices, and promote consumption of local foods. The data collected from the NSDP Baseline Survey yielded good quality data that is useful for informing policy on food security in Vanuatu. The Food Security analysis report presents the analysis of key Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 2.1.1—prevalence of undernourishment—and indicator 2.1.2—prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity. These indicators help track national progress at ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round for all people. The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management are committed to producing quality food security statistics available for all users. This report was prepared for the VNSO by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division.
Hardship
Hardship in Vanuatu Poverty is not something most people in Vanuatu recognize in their communities. This is largely because the understanding of poverty as a state of being “poor” is packed with negative connotation—how can a man, woman or child be considered poor if they have free access to natural resources, have the traditional knowledge and skills to be productive with their resources, and are a part of a supportive community? The people of Vanuatu do not reflect an image of poverty. For this reason, it is important to consider poverty as “hardship” and understand it as a condition of inequality. The data collected from the NSDP Baseline Survey yielded good quality data that is useful for informing on hardship in Vanuatu. The Hardship Assessment Report presents the analysis of key Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 1.1.1—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 poverty in all forms, as defined by the United Nations and global partners. The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management are committed to producing quality hardship statistics available for all users. This report was produced for the VNSO by the World Bank Group.
Income & Expenditure
Household Income & Expenditure Vanuatu implemented its fourth collection of household income and expenditure information as the core component of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) Baseline Survey during the 12-month period from February 2019 to February 2020.The survey is intended to provide baseline statistics for the Vanuatu NSDP—the People’s Plan. Vanuatu was among the first Pacific countries to implement an expanded Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) using computer assisted personal interview technology in line with regional standards. The HIES component of the NSDP Baseline Survey provides detailed information on income, employment, household assets, consumption and expenditure that will update information last reported in 2010.The NSDP Baseline Survey was designed to achieve a re-based National Accounts and a re-based Consumer Price Index (CPI)—the last year Vanuatu re-based National Accounts and CPI was 2006.The Household Income and Expenditure Analysis Report presents the analysis of characteristics of demographics, economic activity and more as captured before the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic and effects of Tropical Cyclone Harold.The Government of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management are proud to publish this HIES report and remain committed to producing quality statistics of household income and expenditure available for all users. This analysis report was written for the VNSO by the Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division (SPC SDD).