Fiji

Broadcast media

Fiji TV, a publicly-traded company, operates a free-to-air channel as well as 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

21,739 (2012) country comparison to the world: 115

Internet users

114,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 157

Telephone system

general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center 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 roughly 100 per 100 persons 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)

Telephones - main lines in use

129,800 (2011) country comparison to the world: 142

Telephones - mobile cellular

727,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 160

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.004 billion expenditures: $1.172 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.1% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 7.47% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$493.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 -$428.8 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$268 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $259.1 million (31 December 2011 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 peaked at 23% of GDP in 2006, and declined to 12.5% of GDP in 2012.

Exchange rates

Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - 1.792 (2012 est.) 1.7932 (2011 est.) 1.9183 (2010 est.)

Exports

$991.6 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $901.5 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Australia 14.3%, US 11%, Japan 6.4%, UK 5.9%, Samoa 5.8%, Tonga 5.1% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.946 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.307 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $4.221 billion (2011 est.) $4.135 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 11% industry: 19.7% services: 69.3% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $4,700 (2011 est.) $4,600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 2.1% (2011 est.) -0.2% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.9%

Imports

$1.938 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.762 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 34.1%, Australia 16.3%, NZ 14.1%, China 8.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 8.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.372 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 102 $1.404 billion (31 December 2010) $1.607 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

31% (2009 est.)

Public debt

47.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 53.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.007 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $833.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.495 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $2.24 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.786 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.758 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$794.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $781.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Unemployment rate

7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 88

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.5 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - consumption

753.4 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - from fossil fuels

54.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

38.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Electricity - installed generating capacity

219,100 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - production

869.1 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,810 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Refined petroleum products - exports

1,739 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,110 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Area

total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 157 land: 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

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 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)

total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%) per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)

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% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)

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 territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added

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)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

Constitution

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

Country name

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

chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven MCGANN embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-0081

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009) 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 "Frank" BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime 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 theWorld Leaders website) 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 election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES

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, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), 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) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6-13 May 2006 (long delayed, the next elections reportedly will be held in 2014) 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

National anthem

name: "God Bless Fiji" 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

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

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 initially refused to hold elections. In 2012, he promised to hold elections in 2014.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 233,240 females age 16-49: 222,587 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 183,730 females age 16-49: 188,325 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 8,403 female: 8,039 (2010 est.)

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 72

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.6% (male 130,115/ female 124,565) 15-64 years: 66% (male 299,842/ female 287,248) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 22,182/ female 26,105) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

20.7 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Death rate

5.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 26

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% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 32

Hospital bed density

2.08 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 141 male: 11.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.59 years country comparison to the world: 137 male: 69 years female: 74.32 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Major cities - population

SUVA (capital) 174,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

26 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 129

Median age

total: 27.2 years male: 27 years female: 27.4 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

Net migration rate

-7.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.9% (2004) country comparison to the world: 12

Physicians density

0.453 physicians/1,000 population (2003)

Population

890,057 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Population growth rate

0.766% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

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)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.58 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Urbanization

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

Disputes - international

none

Airports

28 (2012) country comparison to the world: 121

Airports - with paved runways

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 11 country comparison to the world: 108 by type: passenger 4, passenger/cargo 4, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Lautoka, Levuka, Suva

Railways

total: 597 km country comparison to the world: 108 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)

Roadways

total: 3,440 km country comparison to the world: 162 paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)

Waterways

203 km (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges) (2012) country comparison to the world: 98