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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.fj

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

17,088 (2010) country comparison to the world: 113

Internet users [time series]

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

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

137,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 140

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 153

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $781.7 million expenditures: $885.9 million (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Central bank discount rate [time series]

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 7.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$507 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 -$237.8 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$127 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

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. 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]

865.8 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

970 million kWh (2009 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]

$625.3 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $625.3 million (2006)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 15.7%, Australia 14.6%, Japan 6.1%, Samoa 5.7%, Tonga 5% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$3.131 billion (2010 est.)

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

$3.869 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $3.864 billion (2009 est.) $3.983 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 16.1% industry: 24.4% services: 59.5% (2010 est.)

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

$4,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $4,400 (2009 est.) $4,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

0.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 -3% (2009 est.) -0.1% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$1.3 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $1.3 billion (2006)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 31.1%, Australia 19.1%, NZ 15.1%, China 8.6% (2010)

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]

5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 3.7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.8% of GDP (2020 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Labor force [time series]

335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.404 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 98 $1.607 billion (31 December 2009) $568.2 million (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Oil - consumption [time series]

15,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - exports [time series]

1,857 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - imports [time series]

18,850 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Population below poverty line [time series]

25.5% (FY90/91)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$567.3 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.911 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.741 billion

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

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

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.778 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.737 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$788.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $663.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

25% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Unemployment rate [time series]

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

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 157 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 (2008)

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) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in March

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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 [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 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 (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 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 [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

10 October 1970 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, 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]

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch [time series]

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(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

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

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

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

Military expenditures [time series]

1.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 73

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 28.9% (male 130,409/female 124,870) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 297,071/female 284,643) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 21,187/female 24,945) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Death rate [time series]

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

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

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% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

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

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

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

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

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.08 beds/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 100

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 144 male: 12.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.31 years country comparison to the world: 138 male: 68.73 years female: 74.03 years (2011 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.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

SUVA (capital) 174,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

26 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 119

Median age [time series]

total: 26.9 years male: 26.7 years female: 27.1 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

Net migration rate [time series]

-7.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

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

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.4529 physicians/1,000 population (2003) country comparison to the world: 129

Population [time series]

883,125 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Population growth rate [time series]

0.798% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Religions [time series]

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) [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: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.61 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Urbanization [time series]

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

28 (2010) 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 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

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 (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Lautoka, Levuka, Suva

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

203 km (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges) (2010) country comparison to the world: 98