Fiji Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Fiji, east in the southwest Pacific; 18,274 km², 883,000 residents (2019).Fiji, located in the border area between Melanesia and Polynesia, consists of more than 800 islands. A hundred of these are inhabited. The four main islands are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kandavu. The capital is Suva (94,000 residents, 2018), located on the island of Viti Levu.

Country facts

Republic of Fiji / Republic of Fiji
Country abbreviation: FJ
Area: 18 274 km²
Population (2019): 883,000 residents
Capital: Suva
Main languages: English, Fiji, Indian languages, mainly Hindi
State: Republic
Head of State: Jioji Konrote (President)
Head of Government: Voreqe Bainimarama
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 6,202
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 5,860
Currency unit: 1 Fijian dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: FJD
Country number (telephony): 679
Internet domain name: fj
Time difference compared to Sweden: +11
National Day: October 10 (Independence Day, 1970)

Nature

Land use: forest (65%), agricultural land (14%), other (21%)
Highest mountain: Tomaniivi (1,323 m above sea level)

Population

Population density (2019): 48 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.0%; birth rate 18 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (29%), 15-64 (65%), 65- (6%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 67 years, women 70 years
Infant mortality (2019): 14 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 900,000 residents
HDI (2017): 0.741 (place 92 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 56%
Most populous cities (2018): Suva (94,000), Nasinu (92,000 residents),

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (14%), industry (17%), service (69%)
Exports (2017): US $ 908 million
Main export products: sugar, gold
Main exporting countries: USA, Australia, New Zealand
Imports (2017): US $ 1 911 million
Main import products: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products
Main importing countries: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
Railway network (2010): 600 km

Fiji’s dominant islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, are made up of volcanic rocks that, through weathering, form sharp mountain ridges. Several rivers have created deep, scenic valleys and large delta plains. The main islands are surrounded by smaller coral islands.

The country has a two-chamber parliament with a Senate with appointed members and a House of Representatives with 71 members elected for five-year terms. A new constitution was adopted in 1997, which gave the Indian population greater rights. In 2000, the government was taken hostage by a group of Fijian nationalists whose goal was to introduce pure Fijian rule on the islands. Continued contradictions between the ethnic groups led to a new coup in 2006 but in 2014 democratic elections were held again.

Business is based on agricultural production and tourism. Sugar is the main export commodity, but other agricultural products, e.g. tropical fruits, constitute an increasing part of export revenue. Tourism, the country’s other major source of income, has declined significantly. In 2010, the country was hit by Hurricane Tomas, which caused major damage.