Asian Development Bank and Fiji Islands: Fact Sheet

Abstract

Updated yearly, this ADB Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on the Fiji Islands as well as concise information on ADB's operations in the country and contact information. The Fiji Islands has made progress toward some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and is close to achieving health, education, and gender-related targets. However, relative poverty has increased rather than decreased as a result of long-term declines in the sugar and garment industries; the effects of the December 2006 coup; and external shocks, including the global food and fuel price spikes. Looking forward, impacts of the current global economic crisis and severe flooding in some areas in January 2009 may increase poverty among vulnerable groups. Urban standards of living have declined with the influx of people from rural areas, and this, coupled with potential job losses in weakening economic conditions, could worsen urban and rural poverty over the medium term.