2010 Edition

Background

Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.

Area

land

18,274 sq km

total

18,274 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

1,129 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Tomanivi 1,324 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

82 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%)

Geographic coordinates

18 00 S, 175 00 E

Geography - note

includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

10.95%

other

84.4% (2005)

permanent crops

4.65%

Location

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Natural resources

timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Terrain

mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Total renewable water resources

28.6 cu km (1987)

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327) 15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

21.52 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

5.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups

Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

600 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

12.42 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.28 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth

female

73.73 years (2010 est.)

male

68.46 years

total population

71.03 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.9% (2003 est.)

male

95.5%

total population

93.7%

Median age

female

26.8 years (2010 est.)

male

26.4 years

total

26.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Fijian

noun

Fijian(s)

Net migration rate

-7.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

875,983 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.827% (2010 est.)

Religions

Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2005)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.65 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

52% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March

geographic coordinates

18 08 S, 178 25 E

name

Suva (on Viti Levu)

time difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

enacted on 25 July 1997; effective on 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of the Fiji Islands

conventional short form

Fiji

local long form

Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti

local short form

Fiji/Viti

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador C. Steven MCGANN

embassy

31 Loftus Street, Suva

FAX

[679] 330-0081

mailing address

P. O. Box 218, Suva

telephone

[679] 331-4466

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Winston THOMPSON

FAX

[1] (202) 466-8325

telephone

[1] (202) 466-8320

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009)

election results

Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES

elections

under the constitution, president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime

Flag description

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

Government type

republic

Independence

10 October 1970 (from the UK)

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts

Legal system

based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 members appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 members reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)

election results

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2

elections

House of Representatives - last held on 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT) note: adopted 1970; the anthem is known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics

name

"God Bless Fiji"

National holiday

Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)

Political parties and leaders

Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT [Sitiveni RABUKA] (primarily Fijian), and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP [Pramond RAE] (primarily Indian); Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2009) 6.32% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.85% (31 December 2009 est.) 7.97% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$507 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$127 million (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. In 2007 tourist arrivals were down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector, and GDP dipped. The coup has created a difficult business climate. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006.

Electricity - consumption

863 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

928 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003)

Exports

$1.202 billion (2006)

Exports - commodities

sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil

Exports - partners

US 15.21%, Australia 12.11%, UK 11.23%, Samoa 5.39%, Tonga 4.74%, Japan 4.44% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

8.9%

industry

13.5%

services

77.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,300 (2010 est.) $4,300 (2009 est.) $4,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2010 est.) -2.5% (2009 est.) -0.1% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.154 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.792 billion (2010 est.) $3.725 billion (2009 est.) $3.821 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$3.12 billion (2006)

Imports - commodities

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

Singapore 27.27%, Australia 19.36%, NZ 15.15%, China 6.92%, India 5.23%, Thailand 4.25% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.8% (2007)

Labor force

335,000 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

70%

industry and services

30% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2009) $568.2 million (31 December 2008) $522.2 million (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.5% (FY90/91)

Stock of broad money

$NA (31 December 2009) $1.76 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$NA (31 December 2008) $1.799 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money

$748 million (31 December 2008) $1.042 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (1999)

Broadcast media

Fiji TV, a publicly-traded company, operates a free-to-air channel as well as the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations - 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters; 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2009)

Internet country code

.fj

Internet hosts

17,088 (2010)

Internet users

114,200 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 80 per 100 persons

general assessment

modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center

international

country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

136,800 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

640,000 (2009)

Airports

28 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

passenger 4, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

2 (Australia 2) (2010)

total

10

Ports and terminals

Lautoka, Levuka, Suva

Railways

narrow gauge

597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December (2008)

total

597 km

Roadways

paved

1,692 km

total

3,440 km

unpaved

1,748 km (2000)

Waterways

203 km note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 248,020 females age 16-49: 243,468 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 195,414 females age 16-49: 206,386 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

8,776 (2010 est.)

male

9,131

Military branches

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF)

Land Forces, Naval Forces (2009)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2009) page last updated on January 11, 2011 ======================================================================