Country Profile: Fiji

Fiji is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of over 330 islands, with the largest being Viti Levu. It has a population of approximately 951,611 people, where a majority live on Viti Levu, contributing to a vibrant mix of cultures primarily influenced by iTaukei, Indo-Fijian, and European communities. The economy is mainly based on tourism, agriculture, and remittances, making it an upper-middle-income nation. Fiji operates as a parliamentary republic, with a recent history marked by political coups and evolving governance structures.

Geography

Fiji is situated about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, comprising 332 islands, of which approximately 110 are inhabited. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, with volcanic origins and a tropical marine climate that leads to slight seasonal temperature variations.

Total Area: 18,274 sq km - slightly smaller than New Jersey.
Coastline: 1,129 km.
Highest Point: Tomanivi at 1,324 m.
Natural Resources: Includes timber, fish, gold, copper, and offshore oil potential.
Natural Hazards: Cyclonic storms can occur between November and January.

People and Society

Fiji is home to a diverse population of about 951,611 people, predominantly comprising 56.8% iTaukei (indigenous Fijians) and 37.5% Indo-Fijians. The society is characterized by cultural richness, where English, iTaukei, and Fiji Hindi are the official languages.

Urban Population: 58.7% live in urban areas as of 2023.
Median Age: 32 years (2025 est.).
Life Expectancy: 74.8 years (2024 est.).
Literacy Rate: 92.4% for females (2021 est.).
Birth Rate: 15.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.).

Economy

Fiji's economy is classified as upper-middle income, heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture. The nation has shown resilience with a post-pandemic tourism resurgence and substantial improvements in economic indicators.

Real GDP (PPP): $13.1 billion (2024 est.).
GDP Growth Rate: 3.8% projected for 2024.
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (2024 est.).
Exports: $2.376 billion (2022 est.).
Poverty Rate: 24.1% below the national poverty line (2019).

Government

Fiji operates as a parliamentary republic with a president and a prime minister. Governance has been shaped by a series of coups, the most recent elections occurring in 2022, where Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka became prime minister.

Independence: Achieved on 10 October 1970 from the UK.
Capital: Suva.
Parliament Composition: 55 seats, elected by proportional representation.
Voting Age: 18 years for universal suffrage.
Most Recent Election: 31 October 2024.

Military and Security

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces consists of land and naval units tasked with national security and regional stability. Fiji has a history of active participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Active Personnel: Approximately 4,000.
Military Expenditure: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.).
Military Deployments: 170 personnel in Egypt, 160 in Iraq (2025).
Service Age: Voluntary service for men and women aged 18-25 (2026).

Energy

Fiji's energy sector is primarily based on hydroelectricity and fossil fuels. The country has made significant strides in electrical access for its population.

Electricity Access: 92% of total population (2022 est.).
Installed Capacity: 427,000 kW (2023 est.).
Renewable Sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 52.3% of total installed capacity.
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 25.375 million Btu/person (2023 est.).

Environment

Fiji faces environmental challenges, including air pollution and deforestation. It actively participates in numerous international environmental agreements.

Total Renewable Water Resources: 28.55 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).
Annual Waste Generation: 189,400 tons (2024 est.).
Percentage of Municipal Waste Recycled: 16.1% (2022 est.).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 1.432 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).

Transportation

Fiji has developed infrastructure that includes several airports and a small railway system primarily used for sugarcane transport.

Airports: 26 (2025).
Merchant Marine: 74 vessels (2023).
Railways: 597 km total length, primarily owned by the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
Ports: 5 total ports.

Communications

Fiji has a growing telecommunications sector with widespread mobile and internet access among the population.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Approximately 5.33 million (2024).
Internet Users: 79% of the population (2023 est.).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 49,000 (2021).
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 23,000 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	951,611	(2024 est.)
Area	18,274 sq km	Slightly smaller than New Jersey
GDP (PPP)	$13.1 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.4%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	74.8 years	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	15.63 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Electricity Access	92%	(2022 est.)