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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

88,400 (2012) country comparison to the world: 147

Telephones - mobile cellular

858,800 (2012) country comparison to the world: 159

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.084 billion expenditures: $1.192 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.2% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 7% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$492.3 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 -$425.1 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$779.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $685.5 million (31 December 2012 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 less than 12% of GDP in 2013.

Exchange rates

Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - 1.845 (2013 est.) 1.7899 (2012 est.) 1.9183 (2010 est.)

Exports

$1.026 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $932.4 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 14.6%, Australia 13.2%, Japan 6.9%, Samoa 5.8%, Tonga 5.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.218 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.45 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $4.319 billion (2012 est.) $4.226 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 90.4% government consumption: 16% investment in fixed capital: 22.7% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 39.7% imports of goods and services: -68.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 11.7% industry: 18.1% services: 70.2% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,900 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $4,800 (2012 est.) $4,700 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 2.2% (2012 est.) 1.9% (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.)

Imports

$2.054 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $1.867 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 32.8%, Australia 15.5%, NZ 14.5%, China 10.7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

2.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 4.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$452.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $392.2 million (31 December 2011) $418.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

31% (2009 est.)

Public debt

56.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 53.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$963.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $921.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.697 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $2.578 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$43.03 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $44.08 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.17 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.903 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.168 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $1.958 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.549 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.453 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Unemployment rate

7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 83

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.445 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - production

30 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Electricity - consumption

808.3 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - from fossil fuels

49% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

45.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - installed generating capacity

245,100 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - production

836.1 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,810 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Refined petroleum products - exports

692 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,050 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

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: 0.08 cu km/yr (30%/11%/59%) per capita: 100.1 cu m/yr (2005)

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: 9.17% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 86.17% (2011)

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

28.55 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu

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 third Sunday in January

Constitution

several previous; latest signed into law September 2013 (2013)

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 Frankie A. REED (since 15 October 2011) note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu embassy: 158 Princes Rd, Tamavua mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-2267

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON (since 20 April 2009) 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

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions) note - in 1987, the Supreme Court assumed functions formerly performed by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court are appointed by the president of Fiji, upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission, after consulting with the cabinet minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges, and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisine judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)

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 will be held 17 September 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"

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

18 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

1.47% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 61 1.44% of GDP (2011) 1.47% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 55 (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.2% (male 130,013/female 124,423) 15-24 years: 17.1% (male 78,751/female 75,358) 25-54 years: 41.1% (male 190,035/female 181,268) 55-64 years: 7.8% (male 35,616/female 34,920) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 24,282/female 28,541) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

19.86 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.3% (2004) country comparison to the world: 90

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 52.5 % youth dependency ratio: 43.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 % potential support ratio: 11.6 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 92.2% of population total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 7.8% of population total: 3.7% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 102

Ethnic groups

iTaukei 56.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5% (European, part European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) note: a 2010 law replaces 'Fijian' with 'iTuakei' when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Health expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 169

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 139 male: 11.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.15 years country comparison to the world: 139 male: 69.53 years female: 74.91 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

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

Major urban areas - population

SUVA (capital) 177,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

total: 27.9 years male: 27.7 years female: 28.1 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

Net migration rate

-6.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

30.6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 25

Physicians density

0.43 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

903,207 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Population growth rate

0.7% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Religions

Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 92.1% of population rural: 81.7% of population total: 87.2% of population unimproved: urban: 7.9% of population rural: 18.3% of population total: 12.8% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.51 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization

urban population: 52.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

28 (2013) 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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2013)

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

major seaport(s): 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: 1,686 km unpaved: 1,754 km (2011)

Waterways

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