Fiji

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) country comparison to the world: 113

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 is about 80 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) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

136,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 135

Telephones - mobile cellular

640,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 70 6.32% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.85% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 7.97% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$507 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Debt - external

$127 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

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.) country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

928 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

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) country comparison to the world: 147

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 (official exchange rate)

$3.154 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.792 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $3.725 billion (2009 est.) $3.821 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $4,300 (2009 est.) $4,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 -2.5% (2009 est.) -0.1% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$3.12 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 137

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) country comparison to the world: 138

Labor force

335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 104 $568.2 million (31 December 2008) $522.2 million (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Oil - consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Oil - exports

2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Oil - imports

20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

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) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.042 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 81

Area

total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 156 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 last Sunday in March

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 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 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 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) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011) 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 refused to hold elections.

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

male: 9,131 female: 8,776 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2009)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 80

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

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.) country comparison to the world: 83

Death rate

5.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 33

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.) country comparison to the world: 137

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 12.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.03 years country comparison to the world: 136 male: 68.46 years female: 73.73 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 26.6 years male: 26.4 years female: 26.8 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

Net migration rate

-7.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Population

875,983 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Population growth rate

0.827% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

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)

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 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.) country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization

urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

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)

Airports

28 (2010) country comparison to the world: 118

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

total: 10 country comparison to the world: 112 by type: passenger 4, passenger/cargo 4, 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: 110 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 country comparison to the world: 98 note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008)