Interesting Trends In
p. 50 · Read in the full issue
Fiji’S Population
Suva, May 20.
OFFICIAL figures show an in crease in the total population of Fiji, during 1952, of 10,719.
Indians increased by 5,470 and Fijians by 2,998.
The natural increase was 28.52 per thousand—the Indian rate in creasing slightly, and the Fijian rate falling.
Indian females outnumber Fijian females now by about 3,000. Of the total population, 62 per cent, is under 25 years of age, with 10,077 more Indian than Fijian females in this group, and 4,047 more Fijian than Indian females over the age of 45.
Though Fijian mortality was the fourth lowest on record, infant mor tality was the highest since 1946, especially with infants of up to two years. The cause of this trend is not explained in the report.
Estimated population figures as at December 31, 1952:
Europeans .. .. .. .. 7,980 Fijians .. .. .. .. 135,877 Islanders .. .. .. . . 4,498 Chinese .. .. .. .. 3,719 Mixed . . . . 7,298 Indians .. .. 148,802 Rotumans .. .. .. .. 3,845 Others .. .. ... 659 Total .. .. .. .. 312,678