Fiji

Full name of country: Republic of Fiji

Region: Australia-Oceania

Official language: English, Fijian

Population: 951,611 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Fijian(s) (noun), Fijian (adjective)

Land area: 18,274 sq km (7,056 sq miles)

Capital: Suva (on Viti Levu)

National anthem: "God Bless Fiji", by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott/C. Austin Miles (Adapted by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott)

National holiday: Independence Day, October 10 (1970)

Population growth: 0.4% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +12

Flag: The flag of Fiji is light blue. It features a small version of the Union Jack, or the flag of the United Kingdom, in the top left corner. This remains on the flag despite the fact that Fiji gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1970. The right section, or “fly” portion, of the flag depicts the Fijian shield-of-arms.

Independence: October 10, 1970 (from the UK)

Government type: parliamentary republic

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: common law system based on the English model

The Republic of Fiji is an independent nation in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,000 miles northeast of Australia and 3,000 miles southwest of Hawaii. Fiji was once avoided because of its warring cannibalistic tribes and treacherous waters. Today, the island nation is a popular tropical tourist destination, especially among citizens of Asia, Australia, and the United States.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Over half of Fiji's population (58.7 percent in 2023) lives in urban areas, with the rest residing in rural areas such as small farming and fishing villages. Population density in 2023 was an estimated 50.9 people per square kilometer, according to the United Nations (UN) World Statistics Pocketbook. The province of Ba is the most populous. Naitasiri and Rewa are the second and third most populous provinces.

Ethnically, Fiji is dominated by two groups. As of the 2007 census (the last for which reliable ethnicity data are available), iTaukei—Indigenous Fijians, of primarily Melanesian and some Polynesian descent—accounted for 56.8 percent of the population. Indo-Fijians were the second-largest ethnic group, accounting for 37.5 percent of the population, and Indigenous Rotumans made up 1.2 percent. The remainder of the population had Chinese, European, and other Pacific Islander backgrounds.

Under the 1997 constitution, Fiji had three official languages: English, Fijian (also known as Vosa Vakaviti), and Hindustani (referring specifically to Fiji Hindi). The 1997 constitution was superseded by a new constitution in 2013, which made no mention of official languages but declared that the constitution would be available in English (in which form it would be adopted), Fijian, and Hindi and that the teaching of conversational Fijian and Fiji Hindi would be compulsory in primary schools.

Most Fijians speak English, and it is the primary language of government, education, and commerce. However, iTaukeis generally speak to each other in Fijian, an Austronesian language in the Malayo-Polynesian branch. Similarly, the large Indian population generally speaks Fiji Hindi, a dialect of Awadhi, which is an Indo-European language of the Eastern Hindi branch. Fiji Hindi emerged from the various languages and dialects spoken by the Indian indentured workers who were brought to the islands in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to work on British plantations.

Religion in Fiji is divided along ethnic lines. Most native Fijians consider themselves Christians. As of the 2007 census, an estimated 45 percent of the population were Protestant, 9.1 percent were Roman Catholic, and 10.4 percent were “other Christian.” An estimated 27.9 percent of the population were Hindus. Muslims accounted for an estimated 6.3 percent of the population.

Indigenous People: Fiji was first settled by Polynesian and then Melanesian peoples, around 1500 BCE and 500 BCE, respectively. Bloody tribal warfare between these groups during the nineteenth century earned Fiji the nickname “the Cannibal Islands.” Europeans began to settle in Fiji soon after.

In 1874, Fiji became a British colony, and the Indian indenture system was introduced to the islands soon after. Today, Fijians are said to resemble the Polynesian culture more than the Melanesian.

Education: Officially, education in Fiji is mandatory for children beginning at age six. Primary school lasts six years, secondary four, and upper secondary three. However, although primary education is ostensibly free, associated fees and expenses prevent some children from attending. The 2013 constitution stipulates that the government should “take reasonable measures within its available resources” to ultimately introduce “free early childhood, primary, secondary and further education.”

Universities in Fiji include the University of the South Pacific, an international cooperative institution with campuses in several countries, and the University of Fiji. Fiji National University was formed in 2010 by the consolidation of six postsecondary institutions, including the Fiji Institute of Technology and the Fiji School of Medicine. There are also many vocational and technical schools, primarily located in Suva, the capital.

Health Care: The national government of Fiji is responsible for providing its citizens with reasonable low-cost health care. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the operation of urban and rural public health facilities, disease-control research, administration of nursing homes, and health education.

In 2024, Fijian life expectancy at birth was 74.8 years on average—72.2 years for men and 77.6 years for women. The country was ranked 104 out of 193 countries and territories on the 2022 United Nations Human Development Index.

Food: Fijian cuisine is representative of the many cultural influences that have touched the islands throughout history. The flavors of Western, Chinese, Indian, Polynesian, and Melanesian cultures are all present in the meals of modern Fiji. As one might expect, seafood is prevalent in the Fijian diet. Other mainstays include beef, pork, poultry, taro root, leaves, yam, and breadfruit.

Tropical fruits such as guava, mango, banana, lime, and pineapple are popular, as is coconut milk, which is used in a variety of recipes. Common spices and sauces include garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, cumin, soy sauce, and chili peppers.

A Fijian dinner might consist of meat, poultry, or fish and a side dish of boiled taro leaves and cassava. Many dishes are prepared as curries, demonstrating the influence of Indian culture on the Fijian diet.

Kava, known locally as yaqona, is the national drink of Fiji. Although the tea was once reserved solely for religious ceremonies, it is now drunk socially throughout the islands. There are still certain ceremonial aspects associated with its consumption, however.

Arts and Entertainment: Historically, Fijian art has been functional as much as it has been decorative. Body painting, weaponry, and war canoes were all outlets for artistic expression.

The music of Fiji has a strong Polynesian flavor. Traditionally, church music has dominated the music scene, along with harmonious dance songs featuring intricate drumming with instruments made from natural products. Singers such as Laisa Vulakoro and Lagani Rabukawaqa emerged as two of the islands’ better-known singers in the 1980s, becoming stars throughout the Pacific region.

Because of the varied religious and ethnic groups on the island, Fijian religious festivals are diverse. Festivals to celebrate Christmas, Diwali, and the Prophet Muhammad are joined by a host of secular events held each year. Christmas is celebrated in Fiji much as it is in the United States. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is renowned as Fiji’s greatest statesman. Lala Sukuna was a decorated hero in World War I and received the Croix de Guerre, France’s highest military honor. He devoted his political career to preparing Fiji for independence and self-government.

Marching bands, parades, and beauty pageants are trademarks of the three city festivals held each year in Fiji. The city of Nadi, known for its horse racing, is the home of the Bula Festival, held each July. Suva is known for the Hibiscus Festival, held in August. Nicknamed the “Sugar City” for its sugar growing and processing industry, the city of Lautoka celebrates the Sugar Festival each September.

Holidays: Fiji gained its independence from England on October 10, 1970. The anniversary of this event is commemorated each year on the national holiday known as Fiji Day. Other secular holidays include Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day (the end of May), in honor of Fiji’s most prominent modern statesman, and National Sports and Wellness Day.

Hindu holidays observed in Fiji include Diwali (October or November), the festival of lights; Holi (February or March), the festival of colors; and Ram Naumi (March or April). Christian holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, as well as Muslim holidays, such as the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (the lunar month of Rabi al-Awwal), are also celebrated.

Environment and Geography

Topography: The Republic of Fiji is made up of 332 islands, 110 of which are populated. The total land area is 18,274 square kilometers (7,056 square miles) which is about the size of the American state of New Jersey.

Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are two of the larger islands, accounting for 85 percent of the total land area. These islands are of volcanic origin, with elevations ranging from sea level to the top of Mount Tomaniivi on Viti Levu, which is the highest point in Fiji at 1,324 meters (4,344 feet). In contrast, many of the smaller coral islands barely rise a few meters above sea level.

Rivers flow from the mountainous islands. The Rewa is the largest river on Viti Levu, and flows for more than 160 kilometers (just over 99 miles). There are three other major rivers on Viti Levu: the Sigatoka, Nadi, and Ba. The largest river on Vanua Levu is the Dreketi.

Almost half of the islands are covered by forests. The mountainous islands have two distinct ecosystems due to the trade winds. Generally, there are rainforests on the eastern sides of the mountains, where more rain falls, and grassy plains on the western sides, which receive less rain.

Natural Resources: Fiji has considerable natural resources, including an abundance of marine life and timber. Gold and copper are also mined in small quantities, and there are potential offshore oil resources. Hydropower serves as a source of energy for the islands.

Although it is known as a tropical paradise, Fiji is facing some pressing environmental issues. The oceans that border Suva and other large cities are becoming polluted. The demand for timber has resulted in deforestation and soil erosion. Erosion has, in turn, caused damage to the coral reef, as the silt runoff smothers the living coral.

The government has reacted by protecting parts of Fiji. Bouma National Heritage Park was established in 1990 to protect nearly the entire island of Taveuni. The Fijian government also signed international environmental agreements concerning a wide range of issues, including ozone, marine life, deforestation, and climate change.

Plants & Animals: Fiji is a land of lush vegetation. More than 3,600 plant species have been identified there, many of them used for food, medicine, or building materials. Ota is an edible fern that is also used in the construction of traditional Fijian houses. The sap of a tree fern called "balabala" was once used to treat headaches. Other widely used native plants include bamboo, mangroves, hardwood trees, and coconut palms.

As one might expect from a group of tropical islands, there are more than 160 different species of birds in Fiji, as well as an abundance of snakes and lizards. Fiji’s coral reef is among the largest in the world, surrounding nearly all of the islands. There are only two native species of mammals in Fiji, rats and bats. Animals such as cattle, dogs, horses, and sheep were all introduced by settlers.

Climate: Fiji has a tropical climate with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer lasts from December to April, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). These hot months are also when Fiji gets most of its rain. Areas on the windward side of the mountains can expect about 330 centimeters (130 inches) of rain annually, while areas on the leeward side receive about 250 centimeters (98 inches) per year.

Economy

Economically, Fiji is full of contradictions. Its natural resources make it one of the healthiest economies of the Pacific Islands, but much of the population survives on subsistence farming. The farming and processing of sugar constitutes the bulk of the country’s industrial activity. Estimated gross domestic product (GDP; purchasing power parity) in 2023 was US$12.699 billion, or US$13,600 per capita.

Unemployment was estimated at 4.33 percent of the workforce in 2023, with most of the workers employed in the islands’ larger cities. Many do not participate in the cash economy at all, choosing to live on what they can grow themselves. In 2021, Fiji’s main export partners were the United States, Australia, China, New Zealand, and Tonga, and most of its imports came from New Zealand, China, Singapore, Australia, and the United States.

Industry: The two mainstays of the Fijian economy are the sugar and service industries. In 2023, 28.9 percent of the workforce was employed in agriculture, according to the UN World Statistics Pocketbook. The demand for Fiji’s forest resources increased significantly in the early twenty-first century.

Industrial pursuits include mining, manufacturing, and construction. Gold, gems, and petroleum are the main exports of the mining and extraction industry, while the garment industry is the flagship enterprise of the manufacturing interests. Food and beverage processing are important industries in Fiji as well.

Agriculture: A large number of Fijians participate in subsistence-level farming and produce no goods for export. There are also large commercial plantations that grow sugarcane and coconuts. Sugarcane is the most widely grown commercial crop, while rice is grown by subsistence farmers. Fijian farmers also raise cattle, hogs, chickens, and fish.

Tourism: In 2019 an estimated 894,389 tourists visited Fiji, according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics; tourism dropped significantly in 2020, however, due to the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with only 168,000 tourists arriving in the country that year. The islands experienced a resurgence in tourism as pandemic restrictions were lifted, and in 2022 more than 636,000 tourists visited Fiji. Fiji’s sometimes unstable political environment and severe weather have also caused some disruptions in this vital industry in the past. Two coups in 1987 and two more in 2000 and 2006 not only seriously affected tourism but also caused a great migration of skilled Indian workers out of the country.

The capital of Suva, on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, is the most sophisticated urban center in the country. It is the political and administrative hub for the island chain and has many modern as well as colonial-era architectural offerings.

The main attraction for tourists visiting Fiji is Nadi, on the western side of Viti Levu. Set against a mountainous backdrop, Nadi is widely considered the most beautiful spot in the country. It relies almost entirely on income from tourism and, as such, offers nearly everything a tourist could need. The city’s Sri Siva Subramaniya temple is visited by tourists and pilgrims alike, as it is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere.

Many of the smaller islands provide excellent snorkeling and other outdoor activities. As some small islands do not receive many visitors, it is customary to ask for the chief’s permission to visit certain villages.

Government

The Fijian political system has a history of instability due to the rivalry between Indigenous Fijians and Indians. Fiji has had several racially motivated coups d'etat since gaining its independence in 1970. Although iTaukeis claimed victory in the elections of 1987, the government was seen as being dominated by the Indian minority. Two successive coups ensued, four months apart, resulting in the declaration of Fiji as a republic rather than a monarchy administered by a governor-general. In 1999, the first Indian prime minister was elected, leading to yet another coup the following year. The leader of the coup demanded that political power be guaranteed for the Indigenous population. Due to international pressure, the coup was overturned. However, lasting tensions from the 2000 coup flared up again in late 2005, culminating in the nation’s fourth coup in December 2006. In 2009, then president Ratu Josefa Iloilo revoked the 1997 constitution and instituted emergency rule. Iloilo retired shortly after. A new constitution was adopted in 2013 by his successor, former military commander Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Today, Fiji employs three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is headed by the president, who acts as chief of state and is elected by Parliament to a five-year term. The president then appoints a prime minister, who acts as the head of the government.

The legislative branch consists of the unicameral parliament, which replaced the previous bicameral legislature in 2013. The parliament’s fifty-one members are elected to four-year terms by a national proportionally representative vote.

The independent judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court. Subordinate to those three courts is the Magistrates’ Courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, consisting of a chief justice, all Court of Appeal justices, and a number of judges appointed specifically to the Supreme Court by the president.

Fiji consists of four major divisions—the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western Divisions—which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces. Each division is headed by an appointed commissioner, and each province is headed by a provincial council. The island of Rotuma exists outside this system and is officially classified as a dependency.

Sitiveni became prime minister in December 2022 following general elections in which opposition parties reached a deal to form a new coalition government, ending Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's nearly 16-year rule.

Interesting Facts

• When leaving Fiji, visitors must pay a departure tax, which is usually included in the airplane ticket.
• Fijians enjoy playing rugby, cricket, table tennis, football (soccer), and squash.
• Tourists to Viti Levu can view the countryside by battery-operated velocipede, a modified seventeenth-century rail-mounted pushbike. It began operations in 2018.
• Beginning in 2016, the long-running American reality competition series Survivor has filmed solely on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji.

Bibliography

Constitution of the Republic of Fiji. The Fijian Government, 2013. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute, www.paclii.org/fj/Fiji-Constitution-English-2013.pdf. Accessed 26 Aug. 2015.

"Fiji." Economics Impact Reports, World Travel and Tourism Council, 2021, wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

"Fiji." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/FJI. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

"Fiji." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 13 Dec. 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/fiji/. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

"Fiji." World Statistics Pocketbook 2023, United Nations, 31 July 2023, p. 106, unstats.un.org/unsd/publications/pocketbook/files/world-stats-pocketbook-2023.pdf. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

Fiji 2018 International Religious Freedom Report. US Dept. of State, 21 June 2019, www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/fiji/. Accessed 8 July 2019.

"Visitor Arrivals Statistics." Fiji Bureau of Statistics, www.statsfiji.gov.fj/statistics/tourism-and-migration-statistics/visitor-arrivals-statistics.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.