Fiji
Republic of Fiji
Australia and Oceania Suva
Population
951.6K
Area
18,274 km²
GDP
$5.84B
GDP Per Capita
$14,100
Pop. Density
52/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$Fijian dollar(FJD)
Calling Code
+679
Timezone
UTC+12:00
Languages
English, Fijian, Fiji Hindi
Driving Side
left
Demonym
Fijian
Background
Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. The first European spotted Fiji in 1643 and by the 1800s, European merchants, missionaries, traders, and whalers frequented the islands. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak, however, and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874.
The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After two coups in 1987, a new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Josaia Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin.
The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After two coups in 1987, a new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Josaia Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑94.0% since 2006$3B (2006)$6B (2024)
Population
↑4.3% since 2006890,365 (2006)928,784 (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 67.3 years2006: 66.1 years2023: 67.3 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total : 18,274 sq km
land: 18,274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 18,274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
1,129 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land
17.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.)
forest
61.7% (2023 est.)
other
21.2% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
40 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas
Natural hazards
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Geography - note
consists of 332 islands, approximately 110 of which are inhabited, and more than 500 islets
People & Society34
Population
total: 951,611 (2024 est.)
male: 482,304
female: 469,307
male: 482,304
female: 469,307
Nationality
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups
iTaukei 56.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5% (European, part European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 est.)
Languages
English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official)
Religions
Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 24.7% (male 119,910/female 114,904)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 323,339/female 308,921)
65 years and over: 8.9% (2024 est.) (male 39,055/female 45,482)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 323,339/female 308,921)
65 years and over: 8.9% (2024 est.) (male 39,055/female 45,482)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 37.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 37.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.5 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 32 years (2025 est.)
male: 31.4 years
female: 31.8 years
male: 31.4 years
female: 31.8 years
Population growth rate
0.38% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
15.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas
Urbanization
urban population: 58.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
178,000 SUVA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
30 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 72.2 years
female: 77.6 years
male: 72.2 years
female: 77.6 years
Total fertility rate
2.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.06 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 91.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 8.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 5.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 10.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 10.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.81 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density
1.9 beds/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
30.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 2.71 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 1.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.79 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 1.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.79 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 26.8% (2025 est.)
male: 40.8% (2025 est.)
female: 12.9% (2025 est.)
male: 40.8% (2025 est.)
female: 12.9% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
4.6% (2021 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.2% (2021 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0.2% (2021)
women married by age 18: 4% (2021)
men married by age 18: 1.7% (2021)
women married by age 18: 4% (2021)
men married by age 18: 1.7% (2021)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 13.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 13.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
female: 92.4% (2021 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Fiji
conventional short form: Fiji
local long form: Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian)
local short form: Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian)
etymology: the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi; in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation -- promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK -- the designation became Fiji
conventional short form: Fiji
local long form: Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian)
local short form: Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian)
etymology: the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi; in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation -- promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK -- the designation became Fiji
Government type
parliamentary republic
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)
etymology: the name means "little hill" in the native Fijian language and may refer to a mound where a temple once stood
geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "little hill" in the native Fijian language and may refer to a mound where a temple once stood
Administrative divisions
14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu
Legal system
common law system based on the English model
Constitution
history: several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013
amendment process: proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president
amendment process: proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU (since 12 November 2024)
head of government
Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022)
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
election/appointment process
president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister endorsed by the president
most recent election date
31 October 2024
election results
2024: Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU elected president (People's Alliance) 35 votes, Meli Tora TAVAIQIA (Fiji First) 14 votes
2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes
expected date of next election
2027
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
55 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
12/14/2022
parties elected and seats per party
FijiFirst (26); People's Alliance (21); National Federation Party (NFP) (5); Social Democratic Liberal Party (Soldelpa) (3)
percentage of women in chamber
9.1%
expected date of next election
December 2026
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji on the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the House of Representatives committee responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges, and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years or more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji on the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the House of Representatives committee responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges, and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years or more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)
Political parties
Fiji First
Fiji Labor Party or FLP
Freedom Alliance (formerly Fiji United Freedom Party or FUFP)
National Federation Party or NFP
People's Alliance
Peoples Democratic Party or PDP
Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA
Unity Fiji
Fiji Labor Party or FLP
Freedom Alliance (formerly Fiji United Freedom Party or FUFP)
National Federation Party or NFP
People's Alliance
Peoples Democratic Party or PDP
Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA
Unity Fiji
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ilisoni VUIDREKETI (since 17 June 2024)
chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (917) 208-4560
FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
email address and website:
info@FijiEmbassyDC.com
https://www.fijiembassydc.com/
chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (917) 208-4560
FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
email address and website:
info@FijiEmbassyDC.com
https://www.fijiembassydc.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 24 November 2022); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu
embassy
158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva
mailing address
4290 Suva Place, Washington DC 20521-4290
telephone
[679] 331-4466
FAX
[679] 330-2267
email address and website
SuvaACS@state.gov
https://fj.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
National holiday
Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)
Flag
description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the right half of the flag; the shield shows a yellow lion holding a coconut above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove
meaning: blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean
meaning: blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean
National symbol(s)
Fijian canoe
National color(s)
light blue
National anthem(s)
title: "God Bless Fiji" (Let Us Show Pride)
lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)
history: adopted 1970; 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 usually used, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics
lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)
history: adopted 1970; 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 usually used, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Levuka Historical Port Town
selected World Heritage Site locales: Levuka Historical Port Town
Economy31
Economic overview
upper-middle income, tourism-based Pacific island economy; susceptible to ocean rises; key energy and infrastructure investments; post-pandemic tourism resurgence; improved debt standing; limited workforce
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $13.1 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $12.617 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $11.734 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $12.617 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $11.734 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 3.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 7.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 19.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 7.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 19.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $14,100 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $13,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $12,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $13,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $12,800 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$5.841 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 4.5% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 4.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 4.3% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 8.4% (2024 est.)
industry: 14.1% (2024 est.)
services: 56.2% (2024 est.)
industry: 14.1% (2024 est.)
services: 56.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
71.7% (2023 est.)
government consumption
20.8% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
18.6% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
1.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
57% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-69.2% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, cassava, taro, vegetables, chicken, coconuts, eggs, ginger, milk, sweet potatoes (2023)
Industries
tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber
Industrial production growth rate
7.3% (2024 est.)
Labor force
387,800 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 4.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.5% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 15.5% (2024 est.)
male: 11.8% (2024 est.)
female: 22.5% (2024 est.)
male: 11.8% (2024 est.)
female: 22.5% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
24.1% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019: 30.7 (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.5% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 24.2% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 24.2% (2019 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 9.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 9.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 9.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 9.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 9.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
revenues: $1.345 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $1.562 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $1.562 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016: 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
20.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: -$865.665 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$686.577 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: -$614.13 million (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$686.577 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: -$614.13 million (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $2.376 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $1.171 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $1.23 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2021: $1.171 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $1.23 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 32%, Australia 12%, Tonga 6%, NZ 6%, Samoa 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
water, fish, raw sugar, refined petroleum, garments (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $3.434 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $2.344 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $1.977 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021: $2.344 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $1.977 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Singapore 25%, China 16%, Australia 15%, NZ 14%, USA 5% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, medical instruments, cars, broadcasting equipment, plastics (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $1.6 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.548 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.557 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.548 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.557 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023: $1.397 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
2.268 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
2.25 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
2.201 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
2.071 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
2.169 (2020 est.)
Energy6
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 92% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 97.6%
electrification - rural areas: 86.8%
electrification - urban areas: 97.6%
electrification - rural areas: 86.8%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 427,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.048 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 102.047 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.048 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 102.047 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 36.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 52.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 10% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 52.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 10% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 6 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 2 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 2 metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 25.375 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 49,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 5.33 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 574 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 574 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
Fiji TV, a publicly traded company, operates a free-to-air channel; Digicel Fiji operates the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations, including 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
Internet country code
.fj
Internet users
percent of population: 79% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 23,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
DQ
Airports
26 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Railways
total: 597 km (2008)
narrow gauge: 597 km (2008) 0.600-m gauge
narrow gauge: 597 km (2008) 0.600-m gauge
Merchant marine
total: 74 (2023)
by type: general cargo 21, oil tanker 4, other 49
by type: general cargo 21, oil tanker 4, other 49
Ports
total ports
5 (2024)
large
0
medium
0
small
2
very small
3
ports with oil terminals
4
key ports
Lautoka Harbor, Levuka, Malai, Savusavu Bay, Suva Harbor
Military & Security7
Military and security forces
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Force, Republic of Fiji Navy (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 4,000 active Republic of Fiji Military Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the RFMF is lightly armed and equipped; Australia has provided patrol boats and a few armored personnel carriers; it also provides logistical support for RFMF regional or UN operations; in recent years, China and the US have provided small amounts of equipment (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2026)
Military deployments
170 Egypt (MFO); 160 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2025)
Military - note
the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) are responsible for external security but can be assigned some domestic security responsibilities in specific circumstances; the RFMF has a history of intervening in the country’s politics, and it continues to have significant political power; it also has a tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, which have offered experience and a source of financial support; Fiji has sent troops on nearly 20 such missions since first deploying personnel to South Lebanon in 1978
Fiji has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fiji's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
Fiji has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fiji's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
Transnational Issues2
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 25 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 259 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 259 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Fiji remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/fiji/