Population Trends in Fiji

Quarter Million Indians

BY 1967 Population Trends in Fiji

AT the end of 1947, the estimated popu lation of Fiji was 269,274. The main races represented were: Indians, 125,674; Fijians, 121,249; Europeans 5,376; Part-Europeans, 6,341; Polynesians, Mel anesians and Micronesians 3,823; Rotu mans, 3,403, and Chinese 2,891.

The rate of increase in population for the whole Colony in 1947 was 28.48 per thousand—the highest for eleven years.

In a report issued by the Fiji Registrar- General recently it is stated that Fiji has a healthy, fertile and youthful popula tion, which is recruiting itself almost entirely by natural increase. In 1947 there was an increase of 1,137 owing to migration but of this increase, Europeans accounted for 800.

The various races of the Colony are all increasing, but particularly the Indians.

The main reasons for the present, and apparently progressive, numerical superi ority of the Indians over the Fijians appear to be that: (a) Indians are more fertile than the Fijians. (b) Indian mortality is much lower than that of the Fijians. (c) The Indian women bear children at an early age. (d) Indian women give birth to a higher proportion of girls than do the Fijian women (this statement requires confirmation by future ex perience) .

On the basis of the 1947 figures, and assuming, first that mortality and fer tility rates remain at the same levels as in 1947; and secondly that there are no unusual migratory changes, it is estimated that the Indian population will increase by approximately 90,000 in the next 15 years.

During the same period and on the same assumptions, the Fijians are esti mated to increase by about 35,000.

If the present rates of mortality and fertility are maintained the Indian popu lation should double itself by about 1967 and the Fijian by about the end of the present century. Many unforseeable factors may, however, influence population growth.