FIJI’S population is expected to remain below one million for at least the next decade.

Fiji Bureau of Statistics CEO Kemueli Naiqama shared this, saying several demographic and social factors were contributing to the slower population growth, including declining fertility rates, rising mortality linked to non-communicable diseases and most especially, migration.

“People are moving, there are more people going for greener pastures, not only through the PALM scheme,” he said.

He added that other migration pathways were also drawing Fijians overseas, including caregiving opportunities in the US, sporting contracts in Australia, New Zealand and the Eurozone, and other work-related schemes.

Mr Naiqama noted a sharp drop in birth rates.

“Previous years we had on an annual average around 20,000 babies born in a year.

“Now it has reduced to 18 to 17 (thousand).

“The fertility level has dropped. And mortality rates, particularly among younger and middle-aged Fijians, have also risen due to the prevalence of NCDs.”

Looking back on Fiji’s demographic shifts, Mr Naiqama said the balance between the iTaukei and Indo-Fijian populations had fluctuated over time, influenced by health crises and political events.

Projections now suggest Fiji’s population will not reach the one million mark until 2035.

Mr Naiqama said that economic stability would be key in retaining citizens in the country.

“If the country is stable, people will stay.”