People and Society of Fiji

Nationality

Fijian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)

Population

929,766

Population in Major Urban Areas

SUVA (capital) 177,000

Health-care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for routine medical problems. In the rural areas, staff training is limited and there are often shortages of supplies and medications. Travelers should carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of their prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred over-the-counter medications. Emergency response is extremely limited. Ambulance availability is minimal, and ambulances are often poorly equipped and staffed. Two major hospitals, the Lautoka Hospital in the western city of Lautoka and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, provide limited emergency and outpatient services. A recompression chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva can treat decompression sickness (See also Special Circumstances, Water Sports). A private hospital in Suva provides Western-style medical care, and other hospitals and clinics provide a limited range of health services. Medical emergencies may be evacuated to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States or elsewhere can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medevac to Australia or NZ will only be considered if patient has adequate insurance or upfront payment which can be expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars. In some cases, medevac to Australia or NZ can require a medical visa. Dengue fever, carried by infected mosquitoes, occurs throughout the country of Fiji, especially during the rainy season.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Fiji stands at approximately 67 years for the overall population, reflecting a combination of improving healthcare infrastructure alongside persistent challenges related to chronic disease, geographic access to medical services, and socioeconomic disparities. Women in Fiji generally outlive men by several years, with female life expectancy estimated at around 69 to 70 years compared to roughly 65 years for males. This gender gap is consistent with global patterns and reflects differences in lifestyle factors, occupational risks, and healthcare-seeking behavior. Over the past several decades, Fiji has made meaningful strides in extending life expectancy. In the 1960s and 1970s, life expectancy was considerably lower, and improvements in access to clean water, maternal and child health programs, and basic immunization contributed to steady gains through the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. However, progress has plateaued in more recent years. Fiji faces a significant and growing burden from non-communicable diseases, which are now the leading cause of premature death in the country. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension are particularly prevalent, driven by dietary shifts toward processed foods, rising obesity rates, and reduced physical activity. These conditions have slowed further improvements in life expectancy and place considerable strain on the national health system. The geographic nature of Fiji, an archipelago of more than 330 islands, creates additional challenges. Residents of outer islands and remote rural areas often have limited access to hospitals and specialized medical care, which can affect health outcomes compared to those living in urban centers like Suva and Lautoka. Fiji's life expectancy figures place it in a middle range when compared to other Pacific Island nations. Countries such as Tonga and Samoa report broadly similar figures, while wealthier Pacific neighbors tend to trend higher. International health organizations and the Fijian government continue to prioritize programs targeting diabetes prevention, cardiovascular health, and maternal care as part of broader efforts to extend healthy life expectancy across all communities in the country.

Infant Mortality Rate

Fiji's infant mortality rate has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting broader gains in healthcare access, maternal health services, and public health infrastructure across the island nation. As of the most recent available data, Fiji's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 20 to 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it in a moderate range compared to both its Pacific Island neighbors and global averages. This rate represents a significant decline from figures recorded in earlier decades, when limited rural healthcare access and higher rates of preventable disease contributed to greater infant deaths. Key factors behind the improvement include expanded immunization coverage, better prenatal and postnatal care programs, increased access to trained birth attendants, and government investments in rural health clinics. Despite this progress, disparities remain between urban centers like Suva and Nausori and more remote rural or outer island communities. Infants born in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure face higher risks from complications during childbirth, neonatal infections, respiratory illness, and diarrheal diseases. Poverty and food insecurity in certain communities also contribute to undernutrition, which increases vulnerability during the critical first year of life. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial portion of overall infant deaths in Fiji, a pattern consistent with trends across lower-middle-income countries. Addressing this requires continued focus on skilled birth attendance, neonatal care equipment in hospitals, and community health education for new mothers. The Fijian government, in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has implemented programs targeting maternal and child health to push these numbers lower. The goal of reducing preventable infant deaths remains a priority within Fiji's national health strategy, and continued investment in both primary care infrastructure and community-level health awareness is expected to drive further reductions in the years ahead.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Christian52.0%
• Hindu38.0%
• Muslim8.0%
• other2.0%

English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

• English
• Fijian

Crime Information

Urban areas experience a higher incidence of crime than do rural areas. Most crime takes place in Suva and Nadi, away from resort areas. You should always protect your valuables and be aware that theft from hotel rooms, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists. Be attentive of your personal safety and be cautious about sharing too much personal information about where you are from and where you are staying while traveling. If you are not familiar with an area, ask hotel staff about areas to avoid. There has been an increase in incidents involving sexual assaults and harassment in Fiji. You should not walk alone after dark and always be sure to avoid isolated and deserted areas. You should lock your doors and windows when you are alone at home or in your hotel room. Since there is crime directed at taxi drivers, do not allow taxis to pick up other passengers while you are en route. Similarly, you should not enter a taxi already carrying other passengers. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Fiji, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You should carry photo identification with you at all times. If you are suspected of being involved in criminal activities, you will be taken in for questioning and asked for identification. Respect any cultural sites with security warnings posted against photography. Fiji enforces laws against driving under the influence of alcohol, and offenders may be taken to jail. If you are stopped and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be taken to the police station for further tests. If the second test is affirmative, you will be detained in a prison cell to sober up, typically overnight, and you will be charged the following morning. If you do not have a permanent address in Fiji, the local police will keep you in custody and will arrange for a special court hearing with a Magistrate. These hearings take place during regular work days, and on the weekends and holidays. If you have a permanent residence in Fiji, you will be charged and may be released, and then you will be asked to attend court on a set date. Criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Fiji, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.