World Factbook
Fiji
Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the right half of the flag; the shield shows a yellow lion holding a coconut above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove meaning: blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean
Capital
name
Suva (on Viti Levu)
etymology
the name means "little hill" in the native Fijian language and may refer to a mound where a temple once stood
time difference
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 08 S, 178 25 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
Constitution
history
several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013
amendment process
proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president
Country name
etymology
the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi; in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation -- promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK -- the designation became Fiji
local long form
Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian)
local short form
Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian)
conventional long form
Republic of Fiji
conventional short form
Fiji
Independence
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law system based on the English model
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions)
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)
judge selection and term of office
chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji on the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the House of Representatives committee responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges, and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years or more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
chief of state
President Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU (since 12 November 2024)
election results
2024: Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU elected president (People's Alliance) 35 votes, Meli Tora TAVAIQIA (Fiji First) 14 votes 2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes
head of government
Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022)
most recent election date
31 October 2024
election/appointment process
president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister endorsed by the president
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)
National color(s)
light blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Levuka Historical Port Town
Political parties
Fiji First Fiji Labor Party or FLP Freedom Alliance (formerly Fiji United Freedom Party or FUFP) National Federation Party or NFP People's Alliance Peoples Democratic Party or PDP Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA Unity Fiji
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
55 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/14/2022
expected date of next election
December 2026
percentage of women in chamber
9.1%
parties elected and seats per party
FijiFirst (26); People's Alliance (21); National Federation Party (NFP) (5); Social Democratic Liberal Party (Soldelpa) (3)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Bless Fiji" (Let Us Show Pride)
history
adopted 1970; known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are usually used, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics
lyrics/music
Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)
National symbol(s)
Fijian canoe
Administrative divisions
14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 466-8325
chancery
1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (917) 208-4560
chief of mission
Ambassador Ilisoni VUIDREKETI (since 17 June 2024)
email address and website
info@FijiEmbassyDC.com https://www.fijiembassydc.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[679] 330-2267
embassy
158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva
telephone
[679] 331-4466
mailing address
4290 Suva Place, Washington DC 20521-4290
chief of mission
Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 24 November 2022); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu
email address and website
SuvaACS@state.gov https://fj.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction