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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.fj

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

12,747 (2009) country comparison to the world: 114

Internet users [time series]

103,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 152

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 density 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) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

129,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 139

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

600,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 151

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.363 billion expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

6.32% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 47 9.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.97% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 9.01% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$507 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Debt - external [time series]

$127 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 nearly 7%. 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 [time series]

863 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

928 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

$1.202 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 147

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 15.2%, UK 11.6%, Australia 10.2%, Samoa 5.2%, Tonga 4.6%, Japan 4.1% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$3.589 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$3.587 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $3.58 billion (2007 est.) $3.833 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$3,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $3,900 (2007 est.) $4,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 -6.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 30.5%, Australia 20.5%, NZ 15.5%, China 5.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.8% (2007) country comparison to the world: 83

Labor force [time series]

335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $522.2 million (31 December 2007) $636.7 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Oil - consumption [time series]

10,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Oil - exports [time series]

2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - imports [time series]

20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Population below poverty line [time series]

25.5% (FY90/91)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$6.702 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $1.948 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $1.042 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $1.088 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 100

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 156 land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

1,129 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 00 S, 175 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited

Irrigated land [time series]

30 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2005)

Location [time series]

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Natural resources [time series]

timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Total renewable water resources [time series]

28.6 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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)

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 is responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet 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 (Flag description) [time series]

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 shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

10 October 1970 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, ADB, 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 [time series]

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts

Legal system [time series]

based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 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 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 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 holiday [time series]

Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], 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 (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; 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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 242,567 females age 16-49: 238,556 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 192,363 females age 16-49: 204,410 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 9,107 female: 8,755 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures [time series]

2.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; reserve obligation to age 45 (2006)

People

Age structure [time series]

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) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.92 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Death rate [time series]

5.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 30

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 12.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.73 years country comparison to the world: 139 male: 68.18 years female: 73.41 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 25.5 years male: 25 years female: 26 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Population [time series]

944,720 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Population growth rate [time series]

1.379% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Religions [time series]

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) [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Urbanization [time series]

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Trafficking in persons [time series]

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 3 - 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 (2008)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 118

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 116 by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Lautoka, Suva

Railways [time series]

total: 597 km country comparison to the world: 111 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 [time series]

total: 3,440 km country comparison to the world: 163 paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)

Waterways [time series]

203 km country comparison to the world: 98 note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008)