Copra, cocoa, kava and beef account for more than 60% of Vanuatu's total exports by value and agriculture accounts for approximately 20% of GDP. Tourism is Vanuatu's fastest-growing sector, having comprised 40% of GDP in 2000. Industryís portion of GDP declined from 15% to 10% between 1990 and 2000. Government consumption accounted for about 27% of GDP.

Vanuatu is a small country, with only a few commodities, mostly agricultural, produced for export. In 2000, imports exceeded exports by a ratio of nearly 4 to 1. However, this was offset by high services income from tourism, which kept the current account balance fairly even.

Vanuatu claims an exclusive economic zone of 680,000 square kilometers and possesses substantial marine resources. Currently, only a limited number of ni-Vanuatu are involved in fishing, while foreign fleets exploit this potential.

In 1997 the government, with the aid of the Asian Development Bank, committed itself to a 3-year comprehensive reform program. During the first year of the program the government adopted a value-added tax, consolidated and reformed government-owned banks, and started a 10% downsizing in the public service. An important part of the reform installed career civil servants as Director Generals in charge of each ministry, helping to ensure continuity of service despite the frequent changes in government.