Demographics

Fiji has the largest population of all the South Pacific island countries. The estimated multiethnic population for 2007 was 860 743, with 478 496 ethnic Fijians, 310 093 Indo-fijians and 72 154 people of other ethnic groups. The average annual growth rate stands at 0.8%, this trend of slow growth being due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration, especially among Indo-fijians. Fiji’s Economic Exclusive Zone contains 332 islands covering a total land area of 18 333 square kilometres in 1.3 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean. The population occupies around one-third of the 330 islands and is concentrated on the two largest islands, Viti Levu (10 429 square kilometres) and Vanua Levu (5556 square kilometres), with the nation's capital, Suva, located on Viti Levu.

People in Fiji are living longer, with life expectancy at 68 years for males and 72 years for females.

Political situation

Fiji's military chief, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced in a televised address on 5 December 2006 that he had taken over the running of the country. The following day he sent troops to close Parliament. In January 2007, he took on the role of interim Prime Minister, as decreed by the President, with individuals appointed by the military chief occupying key posts as part of the interim administration.

The interim administration says it will call elections in 2010, restoring parliamentary democracy, but there has been local and international pressure to hold them much earlier. The military leader accused the deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, of leading Fiji down a “path of doom”.

Socioeconomic situation

With a population of 853 445 in 2006 and a gross domestic product (GDP) of FJD 4647.7 million (US$ 2 686.5 million), GDP per capita was FJD 5474 (US$ 3164.2). The per capita GDP growth rate was 9.7%. Government income comes largely from customs duties and port dues, as well as taxation.

The political situation has affected the economy of the country. Just a week after the coup, the Fiji Employers Federation revealed that its members had laid off nearly 1000 workers because of the downturn in business. Many of these workers, the Federation said, were in the tourism business. One of the country's biggest multimillion dollar tourism and land development projects at Momi near Nadi International Airport is being halted because of the uncertainty, sending home hundreds of construction workers and labourers.

Around 1500 more workers were left jobless overnight when Fiji's sole mining operation, Emperor Gold Mine, decided to close. Gold exports last year totalled
F$ 218 million (US$ 136 million), representing 7% of total exports of a country that is already suffering from poor export receipts and a rising import bill.

Vulnerabilities and hazards

With the military coup that has taken place and the many international pressures on the interim administration, Fiji is vulnerable to suffer economically, especially when the main income earner, tourism, is the first industry to be affected. The sugar industry should be undergoing reform in an effort to improve efficiency and production, but this too remains vulnerable due to the current prevailing political situation.

• Home » 
• Countries and areas » 
• Fiji