Fiji

1. Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics, Box 2221, Government Buildings, Suva.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986 and 1996.  The present description relates to the 1996 population census (held on 25 August).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole country.     

(b) Persons covered: All persons of all ages.   

4. Reference period:

The week preceding the census day.

5. Main topics:                                  

(a) Total population, by sex and age:  yes.   

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group:  yes

(c) Industry:  yes                    

(d) Occupation:  yes

(e) Status in employment:  yes

(f) Highest educational level:  yes

(g) Hours of work:  no

(h) Other characteristics:  yes

Re (a): The age is determined in terms of date of birth.

Re (h): The census also collected information on: different levels of geographical distribution; marital status; religion; fertility; mortality; migration; housing; housing appliances; waste disposal; disability; money activity in the household (reference year: 1996). 

6. Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population:  It comprises all persons aged 15 years and over who, during the reference period, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below.

(b) Employment:  Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference period, did some work for a wage or salary in cash or in kind (paid employment).  It also includes those who were in self-employment - those who performed some work for profit or family gain in cash or in kind.  The questions used to determine whether a person is to be counted as employed are: “Did this person do any work for money last week?”;  “How many days did this person work for money last week?”; “Did the person plant crops, collect shells, or fish or provide anything for own use in any other way?” and “Did this person do anything to provide for himself/herself?”.     

It is reported that the following categories are included:                                        

i)         persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;          

ii)        persons engaged in production for own consumption;            

iii)       employed persons, temporarily absent from work;                            

iv)       seasonal or occasional workers;                                            

v)         conscripts for military/civilian service.

Persons belonging to categories (i), (ii) and (v) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment: Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, were actively looking for work, by writing letters, visiting offices or job sites or asking friends in order to obtain cash work.  The question used to determine whether a person is to be counted as unemployed is “Did this person do any work for money last week?”.   If the respondent answered in the negative the following question was asked: “Did you actively look for money, cash work last week?”.  Excluded from the definition are students, homemakers, disabled persons and those able to work but who were not actually looking for work.

7. Classifications used:

Only employed persons are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.           

(a) Industry:   Based on the questions “Who does this person work for?” or “Where does this person work?” (State section if large company or government department).  If the respondent was self-employed or worked in a family business the following question was asked: “What is this person’s trade or business?”.  For coding industry, 152 groups (at the 4-digit level) of the national classification were used.  Links to ISIC-rev.3 have not been established but will be implemented soon.

(b) Occupation:  Based on the question “What kind of work did this person do last week?”  (Describe the main task usually performed).  For coding occupation, 450 unit groups (covering a total of 1,600 occupations) of the Fiji Standard Classification of Occupations 1995 (FISCO-95) were used.  Links to ISCO-88 have been established for international comparability.

(c) Status in employment: Based on the question “How is this person paid?”.  For coding status in employment, the following groups were used:  weekly wages; fortnightly/monthly salary; by sale or job done; unpaid.

(d) Level of education: Based on the question “What is the highest level of education this person has attained?”.  Respondents who had completed a degree, diploma or certificate were asked to specify their main field of study.  For coding level of education the following groups were used:  never attended school; kindergarten; primary (class); secondary (form); university/tertiary (year).  Links to ISCED-97 have not been established.     

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major difference.

9. Publication of the census results:

The final results of the census were published in December 1998 in “1996 Fiji Census of Population and Housing”:  1. General Tables. 2. Analytical Report Part 1 – Demographic Characteristics.  3. Internal Migration.  4. Housing.  5.  Fertility.  6.  Social Atlas.  Five more volumes are under preparation: 7. Analytical Report Part 2 – Socio-economic characteristics.  8. Small Area Data – list of villages, settlements, islands and Enumeration Areas.  9. Urban Atlas I – Lami, Suva and Nausori.  10. Urban Atlas II – Other urban areas.  11. Housing at Tikina level.

The organization responsible for the publication is the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics, Government Buildings, Suva.

The census data are also available in the form of diskettes, CD-ROM and magnetic tapes.