Dividend comparison
VEA vs EFA: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VEA vs EFA: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VEA is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.32% for EFA. On $10,000 that is $29 a year less in fees.
- Income. EFA pays more income, yielding 3.24% over the last twelve months versus 2.44% for VEA. That is about $80 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VEA returned 51.8% versus 51.0% for EFA, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,183 in VEA and $15,095 in EFA.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.3% for VEA and -29.3% for EFA from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VEA holds 3,873 positions and EFA holds 656.
- Dividend growth. EFA grew its yearly payout 7.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.6% for VEA.
- Size. VEA is the larger fund with $313.5 billion in assets, against $76.9 billion for EFA.
Bottom line: VEA fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. EFA fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.44% | 3.24% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.70 | $3.36 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1775 on Sep 22, 2026 | $1.6364 on Jun 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.6% over 4 yrs | 7.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $69.78 | $103.69 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 5 years |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.78 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.3% | -29.3% |
| Market cap | $313.86B | $76.86B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| Assets under management | $313.50B | $76.89B |
| Number of holdings | 3873 | 656 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.2% | — |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VEA
$20.35/mo
$244 /yr at 2.44% yield
EFA
$27.04/mo
$324 /yr at 3.24% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VEA pays quarterly; EFA pays quarterly.
| Year | VEA | EFA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.0094 | $3.2473 |
| 2024 | $1.6042 | $2.4500 |
| 2023 | $1.5112 | $2.2421 |
| 2022 | $1.2219 | $1.9291 |
| 2021 | $1.6140 | $2.4540 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $15,183 in VEA and $15,095 in EFA.
| Period | VEA | EFA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.24% | -1.22% |
| 3 months | 0.11% | 1.09% |
| Year to date | 11.70% | 9.69% |
| 1 year | 13.95% | 12.55% |
| 3 years | 76.30% | 71.16% |
| 5 years | 51.83% | 50.95% |
- VEA
- EFA
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VEA
- EFA
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VEA3873 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.79% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 2.28% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 2.12% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 1.04% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.90% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.85% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.85% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.82% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.78% |
| AZN.LAstraZeneca PLC | 0.74% |
Quick verdict
VEA fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. EFA fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VEA or EFA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VEA currently yields 2.44% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while EFA yields 3.24%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VEA and EFA?
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VEA or EFA?
VEA has the lower expense ratio. VEA charges 0.03% a year and EFA charges 0.32%, a difference of $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VEA or EFA?
Over the last 5 years, VEA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VEA returned 51.8% and EFA returned 51.0%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VEA or EFA?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VEA has been riskier: VEA fell as much as 29.3% and EFA as much as 29.3%. Their betas are 0.97 and 0.78.
How often do VEA and EFA pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.1775 for VEA and $1.6364 for EFA.
How much income does $10,000 in VEA vs EFA generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VEA would generate roughly $20.35 per month ($244 annually). The same amount in EFA would produce about $27.04 per month ($324 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VEA and EFA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VEA vs EFA with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VEA and EFA fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.