rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
4. Fiji
Population
944 720 (July 2009 est.)
Age 0–14 years: 30.3%
15–64 years: 64.9%
65 years and over: 4.8% (2009 est.)
Gender
Literacy
Unemployment 7.6% (1999) (#100)
Total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 93.7%
Male: 95.5%
Female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Employment by sector Agriculture: 70%
Industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
56
Currency
Fijian dollar (FJ$)
Exchange rate Per US dollar: Not available (2007)
Source:
4.1 Introduction
Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly
a century as a British colony. Since independence,
democratic rule has been interrupted
by military coups on multiple occasions. 252
In the past, part of the conflict has concerned
control of government and business between
the ethnic Indian and Fijian communities.
In spite of such conflicts, Fiji has achieved
status as one of the more developed PICTs
and is an established regional hub. This role
is under threat due to the current political
uncertainty and with Fiji’s membership of
the PIFS suspended. 253
252 Profile on Fiji in CIA, The World Factbook, available at: (accessed November 2008).
253 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of the Fiji Islands
Country Brief, available at: (accessed July
2009); see also Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat press statement, 2 May 2009, available at:
(accessed June 2009).