Fiji

LOCATED IN THE SOUTH Pacific Ocean, the island of Fiji achieved independence from Great Britain in 1970. Two military coups in 1987 were the result of accelerating tensions between native Melanesians and Indians, the descendants of laborers brought to Fiji by the British. A new constitution guaranteed Melanesian control but led to a large exodus of Indians, which in turn created economic problems for the island. Subsequent amendments attempted to restore equity, and free elections were held in 1999. The following year, a coup plunged Fiji into renewed turmoil, but democracy was again restored in August 2001.

Fiji's economy is one of the best developed in the entire Pacific region, in large part because forests, minerals, and fishing are abundant. Approximately 70 percent of Fiji's labor force are engaged in agriculture, and much of it is at the subsistence level. Sugar is the leading export crop and most industry is focused on sugar processing. Government revenues profit greatly from the tourist industry, which services between 300,000 and 400,000 visitors a year. The economy is also dependent on regular remittances from Fijians who work in Iraq and Kuwait. The unemployment level stands at 7.6 percent. Other immediate economic concerns revolve around low investment, uncertain landownership, and budgetary shortfalls.

Fiji was experiencing a poverty level of 25.5 percent in 2005. Poverty on the island is determined by an inability to meet basic needs of food, water, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare. Government data reveal that in addition to those who are already classified as poor, numerous others are in immediate danger of joining their ranks. The majority of those below the poverty line have at least one family member who is employed. The government has created the Ministry of Women, Social Welfare, and Poverty Alleviation to oversee efforts to combat poverty.

Over half of Fijians do not have access to safe drinking water or improved sanitation, and there are only 34 physicians for every 100,000 residents. However, 95 percent of the population have access to affordable essential drugs. Since 1980, life expectancy has been steadily rising. In 2005, the projected life span for Fiji's population of 893,354 was 69.53 years. The median age is 24.28 years. Over 31 percent of the population is under the age of 14, and 4.1 percent has reached the age of 65.

Between 1980 and 2005, Fijian infant mortality fell from 50 to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births. Among all children under the age of 5, the decline during that period was from 61 to 21 per 1,000. Eight percent of Fijian children under the age of 5 are underweight, and 10 percent of infants are underweight at birth. Childhood immunization rates vary from the high 80s to 99 percent among infants and toddlers.

On the average, Fijian women bear 2.75 children each. That number has decreased from 4.2 children per woman in 1980. The adolescent fertility rate is 46 per 1,000 births. Some 44 percent of Fijian women use contraceptives. All births in Fiji occur in the presence of trained medical staff. As a result, the maternal mortality rate has declined. According to modeled estimates for 2000, 75 deaths occur out of every 100,000 live births.

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