Definition of Youth
According to the 2009 Youth Monograph, the now expired Vanuatu National Youth Policy 2007-2011 defined youth as 12-30 years old. The monograph itself, using data from the national population and housing census, focuses on youth aged 10-30 years.
Marriageable Age
- Opposite Sex
- Same Sex
- Without parental consent
- with parental consent
- Male
- 21
- 18
- --
- Female
- 21
- 18
- --
Minimum legal ages vary across states/provinces, ethnic/religious groups or forms of marriage. No specific legislation for same-sex marriage. Homosexual acts legal. Source: UNFPA-ICPD, ILGA
Candidacy Age
- Lower House
- 25 Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Upper House
- --
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Unicameral.
Criminal Responsibility
(2006)
Majority Age
Situation of Young People
Literacy Rates
- 95.51% Male (15-24) %
- 95.98% Female (15-24) %
- Year: 2015
- Source: UNESCO
Net Enrolment Rate
Secondary School- 50.72%Male %
- 52.52% Female %
- Year: 2010
- Source: UNESCO
Situation of Young People
Tobacco Use
Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.- 34.10% Male (13-15) %
- 19.60% Female (13-15) %
- Year: 2010
- Source: WHO
Policy & Legislation
According to an article in November 2013 by Anita Roberts in the Vanuatu Daily Post, a two-day youth stakeholders’ forum was held following the launch of the new Youth Development Policy (2012-2022) and Strategic Plan of Action (2012-2015). The forum was organised by the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports and Training, UNFPA, Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Vanuatu National Youth Council. While no version currently exists online, a presentation in August 2013 gives an overview of the policy. Its vision is that young “[avail] themselves of traditional and religious values, along with modern technologies” in support of both person and socio-economic development. The three key areas are: (1) educational and entrepreneurial pathways; (2) personal development, and; (3) public participation.
Public Institutions
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Youth and Representation
Budget & Spending
- % of GDP
- % of gov. expenditure
Source: World Bank
Gaps indicate missing data from the original data source. (Accessed August 2013).
Additional Background
Youth transition
- Young people, defined using a broad age grouping of 10- 30 years, account for about two-in-five people (39%) of Vanuatu’s total population
- The age group of 12-30 years is used in official youth policy and accounts for 80,132 young people, or over one third of Vanuatu’s total population
- Young people in the narrower age group of 15-24 years number almost one-in-five in the total population (19%).
- Young people aged 15-24 years account for just over one- third (34%) of the working age population aged 15 years and above. [...]
Migration
- Most young people aged 12-30 years in Vanuatu have been to school (94%).
- Many young people are now staying on in school in their teenage years, with half of 17 year-olds still in school. However, the age at which a young person leaves school is different for urban and rural areas. [...]
Health
- The main movements of young people are from rural to urban areas to take advantage of better education and employment opportunities.
- Migration from one rural area to another rural area is also common, especially for young women moving to the home island of their spouse. [...]
Education
- The proportion of young teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 years who have ever given birth is low, but rises to 12% for 18 year-olds and 20% for 19 year-olds. [...]
- The Age Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) of women age (15- 19 years) has reduced significantly since 1999, from 92 to 66. [...]
- Most young people in the 15-19 year age group in November 2009 are still students.
- Nearly a third of the 15-19 year-old students are still in primary school (31%).