Moving to Vanuatu from Maldives

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Maldives to Vanuatu — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Maldives to Vanuatu, and you’d need to navigate life in Bislama, English and French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Maldives to Vanuatu.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

MV
0.6
VU
0.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MV
1.3
VU
12.5

Maldives generally does better on safety, though Vanuatu leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MV
$2,288
VU
$141
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

affects wait times and access to care

MV
21.6
VU
1.6

Maldives generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MV
29.0
VU
57.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MV
3.6t
VU
0.9t

Maldives generally does better on environment, though Vanuatu leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MV
17.4
VU
1.1

Maldives performs better than Vanuatu across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MV
4.1%
VU
5.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MV
$22,400
VU
$3,000

Maldives performs better than Vanuatu across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MV
76.9 yrs
VU
75.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MV
25.7
VU
14.3

Maldives generally does better on family life, though Vanuatu leads in infant mortality.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Maldives and Vanuatu. To live, work, or study long-term in Vanuatu, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Vanuatu's immigration authority.

Maldives passport

Maldives passport holder visiting Vanuatu

Visa Free
Maldives passport holders can enter Vanuatu without a visa.
Vanuatu passport

Vanuatu passport holder visiting Maldives

Visa on Arrival
Vanuatu passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Vanuatu?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Vanuatu has 1.1 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Vanuatu safe for expats?

Maldives generally does better on safety, though Vanuatu leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Vanuatu is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.6 in Maldives.

How is healthcare in Vanuatu compared to Maldives?

Maldives generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Vanuatu, compared to 21.6 in Maldives. Vanuatu scores 47 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Maldives: 61).

What language do they speak in Vanuatu?

The official languages in Vanuatu are Bislama, English and French. In Maldives, the official language is Maldivian.

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At a Glance

MV VU
Population 390,164 308,043
Currency Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) Vanuatu Vatu (VUV)
Languages Maldivian Bislama, English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +960 +678
Time zones 1 1