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Timor-Leste vs Vanuatu
Side-by-side comparison of Timor-Leste and Vanuatu from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Timor-Leste
East Asia & Pacific · nation age 51 years
Vanuatu
East Asia & Pacific · nation age 46 years
In short
Vanuatu scores 41.1 in the NationsTree Index (126th in the world) and Timor-Leste scores 34.8 (146th), a gap of 6.3 points. Their trees are 1.4 m and 0.7 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Timor-Leste has 4.2 times the population of Vanuatu. Timor-Leste has 22% more land area than Vanuatu. Timor-Leste has an economy 4.5 times the size of Vanuatu (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Timor-Leste 1.4 million and Vanuatu 335,169 (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $4,809 in Timor-Leste and $4,525 in Vanuatu (2025, international dollars). People in Vanuatu live on average 3.8 years longer (71.7 vs 67.9 years).
Of 27 indicators reported by both countries, Timor-Leste ranks higher in the world on 12 and Vanuatu on 15. Timor-Leste is clearly stronger in natural resources and tourism. Vanuatu is clearly stronger in institutions & safety and environment & energy.
As a nation, Timor-Leste is the older of the two (statehood since 1975, 51 years), compared with Vanuatu (since 1980). Over the last five years Vanuatu improved faster (direction score 92 vs 65 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.
Timor-Leste
-46.2%
192nd of 192
Vanuatubetter
6.2%
5th of 192
GDP growthEconomy
Timor-Lestebetter
7.0%
20th of 210
Vanuatu
3.1%
113th of 210
Completed lower secondary, 25+Society & health
Timor-Lestebetter
77.8%
75th of 153
Vanuatu
28.7%
133rd of 153
Rule of lawInstitutions & safety
Timor-Leste
48.1
143rd of 207
Vanuatubetter
67.3
71st of 207
Under-5 mortalitySociety & health
Timor-Leste
47.6
164th of 196
Vanuatubetter
17.1
110th of 196
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Vanuatu overtook Timor-Leste in the NationsTree Index in 2025, the latest year with data.
Timor-Leste overtook Vanuatu in GDP per person (PPP) in 2019 and has stayed ahead since.
Timor-Leste has been ahead of Vanuatu in GDP (PPP) and population in every year since 1990.
Vanuatu has been ahead of Timor-Leste in life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
Timor-LesteVanuatu All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Timor-Leste | Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 14,870156th/216 · 2024 | 12,189160th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 14,870156th/216 · 2024 | 12,189158th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 1.4 m154th/217 · 2025 | 335,169177th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 1.27%82nd/217 · 2025 | 2.23%36th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 94.2112th/216 · 2024 | 26.9177th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 28.8%199th/217 · 2025 | 22.3%209th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 33.1%57th/217 · 2025 | 38.0%34th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 5.2%144th/217 · 2025 | 4.4%158th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $1.90 bn189th/210 · 2025 | $1.35 bn195th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $6.82 bn169th/199 · 2025 | $1.52 bn191st/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $5.83 bn169th/199 · 2025 | $1.30 bn191st/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $1,341185th/210 · 2025 | $4,039150th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $4,809169th/199 · 2025 | $4,525171st/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $1,510173rd/201 · 2025 | $4,410135th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 7.0%20th/210 · 2025 | 3.1%113th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 0.4%23rd/180 · 2025 | 0.7%26th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 1.6%14th/187 · 2025 | 5.1%90th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 67.9%37th/55 · 2023 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 13.3%13th/189 · 2025 | 36.2%52nd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -46.2%192nd/192 · 2025 | 6.2%5th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 20.2%36th/197 · 2024 | 26.6%17th/197 · 2024 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 11.8%176th/200 · 2024 | 10.1%185th/200 · 2024 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 1.9%176th/192 · 2024 | 4.0%161st/192 · 2024 |
| Services % of GDP | 71.6%28th/200 · 2024 | 56.8%112th/200 · 2024 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $197.0 m174th/182 · 2024 | $329.0 m172nd/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $1.58 bn164th/182 · 2024 | $623.5 m173rd/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | 10.6%175th/183 · 2024 | 25.3%123rd/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | 84.9%18th/183 · 2024 | 48.0%84th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 95.4%68th/183 · 2024 | 73.4%108th/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 67.4%16th/170 · 2023 | 0.1%2011 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 21.9%103rd/171 · 2023 | 8.2%2011 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 10.5%114th/171 · 2023 | 85.3%2011 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 0.1%165th/171 · 2023 | 1.6%2011 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 1.5%142nd/168 · 2023 | — |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -35.8%188th/191 · 2025 | -6.0%150th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 13.3%11th/196 · 2025 | 2.4%86th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 34.7%6th/209 · 2021 | 0.6%128th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 5.30%26th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 29.38%1st/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.05%128th/209 · 2021 | 0.57%67th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 7.5%116th/206 · 2024 | 1.6%177th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 5,99964th/183 · 2022 | 31,94417th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 74,800173rd/194 · 2019 | 82,400172nd/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $78.0 m146th/175 · 2018 | $67.0 m149th/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 64.0%11th/168 · 2018 | 50.4%15th/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | — | 9,400106th/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 67.9168th/217 · 2024 | 71.7141st/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 47.6164th/196 · 2024 | 17.1110th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.75111th/174 · 2020 | 0.16154th/174 · 2019 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 0.4140th/145 · 2023 | 1.72008 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 83%137th/193 · 2024 | 71%166th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 77.8%75th/153 · 2022 | 28.7%133rd/153 · 2023 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 84.7%2020 | 134.7%6th/173 · 2023 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 35.3%2011 | 30.4%42nd/55 · 2019 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 8.5%143rd/217 · 2025 | 7.6%149th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 9.6%34th/193 · 2023 | 4.1%153rd/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 69.4%81st/98 · 2022 | 88.0%57th/98 · 2023 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 31.0%105th/150 · 2023 | 4.9%2004 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.634142nd/193 · 2023 | 0.621146th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 28.72014 | 32.32019 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 44.0%2014 | 19.5%2019 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 94.3%156th/215 · 2024 | 65.5%181st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | — | 19.2%138th/150 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 35.0%161st/186 · 2021 | 22.4%2015 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 116103rd/210 · 2024 | 89159th/210 · 2023 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 0.0205th/208 · 2024 | 1.2167th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 1.672007 | — |
| Air passengers carried passengers | — | 359,290121st/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.5041st/203 · 2024 | 0.8759th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 11.4%140th/212 · 2022 | 25.0%92nd/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 12.061st/200 · 2023 | 7.026th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 71.0%17th/214 · 2024 | 74.6%12th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 612007 | 1582007 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 41.3145th/205 · 2025 | 37.0159th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 40.2126th/207 · 2025 | 44.4102nd/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 48.1143rd/207 · 2025 | 67.371st/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 76.969th/207 · 2025 | 82.346th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 42.9157th/205 · 2025 | 49.6122nd/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 65.775th/205 · 2025 | 67.867th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 4.12015 | 0.38th/145 · 2020 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $47.9 m143rd/156 · 2025 | — |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 2.3%51st/156 · 2025 | — |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 2.4%134th/154 · 2025 | — |
| Armed forces personnel people | 2,000154th/170 · 2020 | — |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.36%137th/168 · 2020 | — |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 14.0 m2011 | 7.0 m117th/163 · 2021 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| Patent applications by residents applications | — | 1126th/137 · 2021 |
| Scientific articles articles | 21172nd/197 · 2023 | 12183rd/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Timor-Leste has the larger population: 1.4 m (2025) compared with 335,169 for Vanuatu (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Timor-Leste is larger: 14,870 km² (2024) compared with 12,189 km² for Vanuatu (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Timor-Leste has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $6.82 bn intl. (2025) compared with $1.52 bn intl. for Vanuatu (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Timor-Leste has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $4,809 intl. (2025) compared with $4,525 intl. for Vanuatu (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Vanuatu has the higher life expectancy at birth: 71.7 years (2024) compared with 67.9 years for Timor-Leste (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Timor-Leste or Vanuatu?
Vanuatu: 41.1 points (126th in the world); Timor-Leste: 34.8 points (146th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Fiji
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Kiribati
TongaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Timor-Leste vs Vanuatu — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/timor-leste-vs-vanuatu. Data as of 26 October 2026.