Fiji profile

Demography and Health

Fiji’s population totals about 928,784 in 2024, placing it among smaller global populations with a rank around 161. The country experiences a birth rate of 18.0 per 1,000 people and a death rate of 9.26 per 1,000, pointing to a modest natural increase and a demographic transition that features ongoing pressure on health and social services. Life expectancy at birth is 67.3 years, which is relatively low by global standards and suggests health outcomes that lag behind higher-income peers. The under-5 mortality rate stands at 29.1 per 1,000 live births, signaling substantial child health challenges that require continued attention to maternal health, immunizations, nutrition, and disease control. Net migration is negative (-3,278 in 2024), indicating a drain of labor and skilled individuals, which can constrain growth and social development while potentially shaping future age structure. The prevalence of undernourishment is 7.8% of the population (2022), illustrating that while widespread hunger is not pervasive, food security concerns persist for vulnerable groups. Health financing shows current health expenditure at 3.58% of GDP (2023), with domestic government health expenditure per capita, PPP at 441 current international US$ (2023), underscoring a significant public sector role in health services that must be sustained as demand grows. Additional health risk factors are captured by suicide mortality at 8.27 per 100,000 people (2021), suggesting attention to mental health and social support systems as part of a comprehensive health strategy.

Economy

Economically, Fiji is a small but open economy with a GDP per capita of 6,288 current US$ in 2024 and a GDP per capita, PPP of 16,032 international US$, both around the 106th percentile in global comparisons. The economy is highly trade-oriented: exports of goods and services constitute 57% of GDP (2023), while imports account for 69.2% of GDP (2023), highlighting strong integration with global markets and dependence on external supply chains. Inflation stands at 4.51% in 2024, a moderate rate that reflects typical volatility in small, open economies affected by external price pressures. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.67% of GDP (2023), signaling modest but ongoing external capital participation. The current account balance is negative, at -17.4% of GDP in 2022, indicating persistent external deficits that rely on financing from abroad and exposing Fiji to global financial conditions. High-technology exports are relatively small, at 1.59 million current US$, pointing to limited capacity in advanced manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors. Military expenditure totals 72.46 million current US$, a modest outlay consistent with Fiji’s security needs within its regional context. Renewable energy accounts for 28.4% of total final energy consumption (2022), illustrating a shift toward diversification of the energy mix, while per-capita greenhouse gas emissions are 3.68 t CO2e, reflecting a moderate environmental footprint for a small island economy. Overall, Fiji’s economy is open and vulnerable to external shocks, with growth potential anchored in investment, productivity gains, and diversification beyond reliance on tourism and commodity cycles, aided by improvements in governance and policy incentives.

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment dynamics show Fiji operating as a highly open but small-scale economy. Exports of goods and services represent 57% of GDP in 2023, while imports account for 69.2% of GDP in the same year, underscoring a trade-intensive structure dependent on external markets for both inputs and consumption. Foreign direct investment net inflows total 1.67% of GDP in 2023, indicating a moderate level of investor interest that could be nurtured through policy reforms and targeted incentives. High-technology exports are limited, at 1.59 million USD, suggesting that Fiji’s competitiveness in advanced technology is still developing. The Logistics Performance Index, measuring the quality of trade- and transport-related infrastructure, stands at 2.2 (2022), with a relatively favorable ranking in its category (24), implying functional but improvable logistics capabilities that affect trade costs and efficiency. Taken together, Fiji’s trade and investment profile points to a country with strong trade exposure and growth potential, contingent on strengthening logistics, expanding value-added sectors, and improving investment climate to attract greater capital flows and technology transfer.

Governance and Institutions

Governance indicators portray a nation with a reasonably stable political environment alongside mixed policy performance. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism are rated at 0.744 (2023), ranking 48, indicating a relatively calm political climate. Control of corruption stands at 0.506 (rank 61), and government effectiveness is 0.491 (rank 58), suggesting credible public institutions and a tangible government capacity to implement policy. Rule of Law sits at 0.305 (rank 80), reflecting a moderate level of legal framework enforcement. Regulatory quality, however, is negative at -0.0902 (rank 96), highlighting significant room for improvement in policy formulation, implementation, and regulatory environment, which can hinder business confidence and the efficiency of public service delivery. Overall, Fiji shows positive signs of governance strength and stability, but targeted reforms to improve regulatory quality and rule-of-law enforcement would bolster investor confidence, reduce compliance costs, and enhance policy impact across sectors.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology in Fiji reveal both progress and gaps. Internet usage is high, with 79.3% of the population online in 2023, pointing to broad digital access that can support e-government, digital commerce, and online education. The Logistics Performance Index score of 2.2 suggests a mid-range level of logistical capability, with a ranking of 24 in its comparative set indicating some strengths relative to peers but still meaningful opportunities to reduce trade costs through port efficiency, customs processing, and reliability of supply chains. Renewable energy constitutes 28.4% of total final energy consumption in 2022, signaling substantive progress toward energy diversification and resilience against imported energy price volatility. Health expenditure indicates ongoing public investment: current health expenditure is 3.58% of GDP (2023), with domestic government health expenditure per capita, PPP at 441 current international US$ (2023), reflecting ongoing government financing for health services alongside private and out-of-pocket spending. Taken together, Fiji demonstrates solid digital reach and nascent energy transition, but infrastructure and service delivery will benefit from continued investment in logistics, energy infrastructure, and ICT capacity to maximize the productivity gains from connectivity.

Environment and Sustainability

Fiji faces environmental and resource challenges typical of small island developing states, with notable indicators in water resources, energy, and climate-related emissions. The level of water stress, measured as freshwater withdrawal relative to available resources, is 0.297 (2021), with a rank of 173, indicating considerable pressure on freshwater resources and the likelihood that water management and resilience to climate variability will be priorities for policy and investment. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 3.68 t CO2e (2023), landing Fiji in a moderate per-capita footprint relative to its development stage and energy mix. Renewable energy share at 28.4% of total final energy consumption (2022) demonstrates progress toward a more sustainable energy system and greater energy independence, though continued investment is needed to reduce vulnerability to imported fuel price shocks. The combination of high exposure to climate risks, finite freshwater resources, and a reliance on external energy sources underscores the importance of coastal protection, climate adaptation strategies, and water security measures for long-term sustainability and economic resilience. Overall, Fiji’s environmental indicators reflect momentum in renewable energy adoption and environmental governance, balanced against the ongoing need to manage water resources and climate-related risks as part of a sustainable development trajectory.