Moving to Maldives from Vanuatu

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Vanuatu to Maldives? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Maldives compared to Vanuatu.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

VU
12.5
MV
1.3

Vanuatu generally does better on safety, though Maldives leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

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

affects wait times and access to care

VU
1.6
MV
21.6

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

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

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

VU
0.9t
MV
3.6t

Vanuatu generally does better on environment, though Maldives leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

VU
1.1
MV
17.4

Maldives performs significantly 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

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

VU
$3,000
MV
$22,400

Maldives performs significantly 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

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

VU
14.3
MV
25.7

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

Vanuatu passport

Vanuatu passport holder visiting Maldives

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

Maldives passport holder visiting Vanuatu

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Maldives?

Connectivity is usually fine (Maldives: 17.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Maldives offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Maldives safe for expats?

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

How is healthcare in Maldives compared to Vanuatu?

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

What language do they speak in Maldives?

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

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At a Glance

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