Fiji's Birth-Rate

Slows, But Still

Causes Concern

By R. W. Robson

Fiji is to have an official census on September 12, the results of which will be of special interest at this time.

The population growth in Fiji still is a source of concern to the people responsible for the improvement of living standards there. The rate is falling, under the influence of propaganda directed to birth control, but has not yet reached proportions sufficient to affect the socio-economic outlook.

A CENSUS in 1946 and 1956 and an official estimate in 1964 gave these results:

Up until the late 1950’5, the in crease of Fiji’s population was phenomenal, and so far in advance of the development of the country’s natural resources that there was danger that the country’s economic structure could not adequately support the people.

A normal birth-rate increase among Western peoples is around 20 per thousand per annum. Fiji’s average birth-rate (all races) in the 1940’s

and 1950’s was about 42 per thousand. Both major races contri buted substantially—in 1957 the Fijian rate was 39.28, which is very high, but in that year the Indian rate was 45.61.

It was that staggering Indian population growth, and the fact that the Indians now so far outnumbered the Fijians, that created alarm in the Colony 10 years ago. Propaganda in favour of birth-control began about then, and pressure in that direction has been building up ever since. The effect can be seen in this table:

Birth Rate Per Thousand

Per Annum

It is evident that the birth-control bureaus that now are operating in Fiji are having an effect; but it is equally apparent that the rate of

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1946 1956 1964 Fijians . . . . 118,083 148,134 189,169 Indians .. .. 120,414 169,403 228,176 Europeans . . - 4,594 6,402 10,831 p ar t- Europeans . . 6,129 7,810 9,803 Other Islanders 3,717 5,320 7,232 Rotumans . . 3,313 4,422 5,635 Chinese 2,874 4,155 5,423 Others ... 514 91 121 Total population 259,638 345,737 456,390

1957 1964 1965 Average of all races 41.91 37.82 35.89 Indians only 45.61 39.84 37.29 Fijians only 39.28 37.40 36.19

natural increase in the Colony’s population (that is, birth-rate less death-rate) is too high when the rate of development of natural resources (that is, the country’s capacity to maintain a good living-standard among the population) is taken into account.

A Government department, under the direction of Ratu K. K. T. Mara, has been set up to encourage the development of natural resources and assist in the establishment of new industries; but there still is danger that its achievements will be countered by a too rapid population growth.

Two facts especially are worrying the economists—namely, 65 per cent, of Fiji’s population is under 25 years of age. and the Colony’s natural re sources are limited.

The Indian community, more than any other, is feeling the pinch.

A large proportion of the Fijian people still live as family groups under village communal conditions, and the sustenance economy of the villages just naturally takes care of additional population, as it comes along.

But the Indian community does not have general access to agri cultural land, and an increasing proportion of Indians is seeking employment, on wages. There are not enough jobs for the Indians who are seeking them. In spite of all that the British administration is doing— and it now is very active—the employment position is not improv ing, with the result that there is severe poverty among some sections of the Indians. There is growing evidence of petty crime.

A much larger measure of self government is being introduced this year, and many hope that further measures to be taken, plus continued birth-rate decline, will improve the outlook.