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🇻🇺 Vanuatu

Electoral democracy

Nikenike Vurobaravu

President · 1,547 days in office

How the political system works in Vanuatu

Its president, Nikenike Vurobaravu, has led the country since Jul 23, 2022. Vanuatu has had 17 presidents since 1980. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.

Tenure records

Recent presidents by days in office

Is a leader's tenure getting longer or shorter in Vanuatu?

Across 20 completed terms, the average president of Vanuatu has served 674 days (about 1.8 years). That has stayed fairly steady: the last five completed terms averaged 576 days.

All presidents of Vanuatu

#	Name	Took office	Left office	Days
21	Nikenike Vurobaravu	Jul 23, 2022	Incumbent	1,547
20	Seoule Simeon	Jul 6, 2022	Jul 23, 2022	17
19	Tallis Obed Moses	Jul 6, 2017	Jul 6, 2022	1,826
18	Esmon Saimon	Jun 17, 2017	Jul 6, 2017	19
17	Baldwin Lonsdale	Sep 22, 2014	Jun 17, 2017	999
16	Philip Boedoro	Sep 3, 2014	Sep 22, 2014	19
15	Iolu Abil	Sep 2, 2009	Sep 2, 2014	1,826
14	Maxime Carlot Korman	Aug 16, 2009	Sep 2, 2009	17
13	Kalkot Mataskelekele	Aug 16, 2004	Aug 16, 2009	1,826
12	Josias Moli	Jul 28, 2004	Aug 16, 2004	19
11	Roger Abiut	May 11, 2004	Jul 28, 2004	78
10	Alfred Maseng	Apr 12, 2004	May 11, 2004	29
9	Roger Abiut	Mar 24, 2004	Apr 12, 2004	19
8	John Bani	Mar 25, 1999	Mar 24, 2004	1,826
7	Edward Natapei	Mar 2, 1999	Mar 24, 1999	22
6	Jean-Marie Léyé	Mar 2, 1994	Mar 2, 1999	1,826
5	Alfred Maseng	Jan 30, 1994	Mar 2, 1994	31
4	Frederick Karlomuana Timakata	Jan 30, 1989	Jan 30, 1989	0
3	Ati George Sokomanu	Mar 8, 1984	Jan 12, 1989	1,771
2	Frederick Karlomuana Timakata	Feb 17, 1984	Mar 8, 1984	20
1	Ati George Sokomanu	Jul 30, 1980	Feb 17, 1984	1,297

Officeholder history via Wikidata. Multiple rows for one person indicate separate terms.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the President of Vanuatu?

Nikenike Vurobaravu has been President of Vanuatu since Jul 23, 2022.

How is the leader of Vanuatu chosen?

Its president, Nikenike Vurobaravu, has led the country since Jul 23, 2022. Vanuatu has had 17 presidents since 1980. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.

Who is the longest-serving President of Vanuatu?

Ati George Sokomanu, with 3,068 days in office across 2 terms.

Are leaders serving longer or shorter terms in Vanuatu?

Across 20 completed terms, the average president of Vanuatu has served 674 days (about 1.8 years). That has stayed fairly steady: the last five completed terms averaged 576 days.

Has Vanuatu ever had a female president?

No. All 17 presidents of Vanuatu to date have been men.