2011 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

18,274 sq km 18,274 sq km 0 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

Pacific Ocean 0 m Tomanivi 1,324 m

highest point

Tomanivi 1,324 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

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 none of the selected 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)

0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%) 82 cu m/yr (2000)

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 (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10.95% 4.65% 84.4% (2005)

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

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

28.9% (male 130,409/female 124,870) 65.9% (male 297,071/female 284,643) 5.2% (male 21,187/female 24,945) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

28.9% (male 130,409/female 124,870)

15-64 years

65.9% (male 297,071/female 284,643)

65 years and over

5.2% (male 21,187/female 24,945) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

21.11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 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)

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.08 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

11 deaths/1,000 live births 12.12 deaths/1,000 live births 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

11 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth

71.31 years 68.73 years 74.03 years (2011 est.)

female

74.03 years (2011 est.)

total population

71.31 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93.7% 95.5% 91.9% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.9% (2003 est.)

male

95.5%

total population

93.7%

Major cities - population

SUVA (capital) 174,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

26 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

26.9 years 26.7 years 27.1 years (2011 est.)

female

27.1 years (2011 est.)

male

26.7 years

total

26.9 years

Nationality

Fijian(s) Fijian

adjective

Fijian

noun

Fijian(s)

Net migration rate

-7.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.9% (2004)

Physicians density

0.4529 physicians/1,000 population (2003)

Population

883,125 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.798% (2011 est.)

Religions

Protestant 55.4% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2005)

female

13 years (2005)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.61 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

52% of total population (2010) 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

52% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Suva (on Viti Levu) 18 08 S, 178 25 E UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in March

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends first 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 25 July 1997; effective 28 July 1998; note - constitution encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory

Country name

Republic of Fiji Fiji Republic of Fiji/Matanitu ko Viti Fiji/Viti

conventional long form

Republic of Fiji

conventional short form

Fiji

local long form

Republic of Fiji/Matanitu ko Viti

local short form

Fiji/Viti

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador C. Steven MCGANN 31 Loftus Street, Suva P. O. Box 218, Suva [679] 331-4466 [679] 330-0081

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

Ambassador Winston THOMPSON 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 466-8320 [1] (202) 466-8325

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

President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009) 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 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 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 Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES

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

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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, 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

common law system based on the English model

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

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

"God Bless Fiji" Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT) 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

lyrics/music

Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)

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

Budget

$781.7 million $885.9 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$885.9 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$781.7 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$507 million (2007 est.) -$237.8 million (2009 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

865.8 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

970 million kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$625.3 million (2009 est.) $625.3 million (2006)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 15.7%, Australia 14.6%, Japan 6.1%, Samoa 5.7%, Tonga 5% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

16.1% 24.4% 59.5% (2010 est.)

agriculture

16.1%

industry

24.4%

services

59.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,400 (2010 est.) $4,400 (2009 est.) $4,600 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2010 est.) -3% (2009 est.) -0.1% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.131 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.869 billion (2010 est.) $3.864 billion (2009 est.) $3.983 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.3 billion (2009 est.) $1.3 billion (2006)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 31.1%, Australia 19.1%, NZ 15.1%, China 8.6% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2010 est.) 3.7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Labor force

335,000 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 30% (2001 est.)

agriculture

70%

industry and services

30% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.404 billion (31 December 2010) $1.607 billion (31 December 2009) $568.2 million (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

15,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

1,857 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

18,850 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.5% (FY90/91)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$567.3 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.911 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.741 billion

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.778 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.737 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$788.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) $663.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25% of GDP (2010 est.)

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

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

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

137,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1 million (2010)

Airports

28 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

19 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

24

under 914 m

19 (2010)

Merchant marine

passenger 4, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 2 (Australia 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Australia 2) (2010)

total

10

Ports and terminals

Lautoka, Levuka, Suva

Railways

597 km 597 km 0.600-m gauge 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

3,440 km 1,692 km 1,748 km (2000)

total

3,440 km

unpaved

1,748 km (2000)

Waterways

203 km (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

233,240 222,587 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

222,587 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

233,240

Manpower fit for military service

183,730 188,325 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

188,325 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

183,730

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

8,403 8,039 (2010 est.)

female

8,039 (2010 est.)

male

8,403

Military branches

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2011)

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF)

Land Forces, Naval Forces (2011)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

Disputes - international

none