How instability creates stability: the survival of democracy in Vanuatu

Figures & data

Table 1. Party system fragmentation in Vanuatu since independence.7

Election	Largest party (vote percentage and seats)	Number of parties elected to parliament ^8	Effective number of political parties ^9
1983	Vanua’aku Pati (55.1% – 24 seats)	5	2.56
1987	Vanua’aku Pati (47.3% – 26 seats)	3	2.59
1991	Union of Moderate Parties (30.6% – 19 seats)	7	4.68
1995	Unity Front (31.4% – 20 seats)	6	4.26
1998	Vanua’aku Pati (21.0% – 18 seats)	7	6.35
2002	Vanua’aku Pati (17.1% – 14 seats)	10	7.99
2004	Union of Moderate Parties (15.0% – 8 seats)	11	8.40
2008	Vanua’aku Pati (14.7%) – 11 seats)	16	9.68
2012	Union of Moderate Parties (12.2% – 5 seats)	17	13.36
2016	Vanua’aku Pati (11.9% – 6 seats)	17	12.52
2020	Leaders Party of Vanuatu (12.5% – 5 seats)	19	13.30