Census 2007

News Releases

A number of releaese have been issued by the Bureau providing provisional results in different census subject matter areas.

The Census of Population and Housing is the largest statistical operation undertaken by the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics [FIBOS]. It aims to accurately measure the number of people in Fiji on the Census Night, their key characteristics and the dwelling in which they live.

The Censuses normally take place every ten years with the last one conducted in 1996. The next census was planned for 2006. However, due to the 2006 general elections, Cabinet agreed (Cabinet decision no. 474 of 25.10.05) that the next census be deferred to 2007. The census night is September 16, 2007.

Census Preparation

In preparation for Census 2007, the country will be divided and mapped into 1605 geographical units or Enumeration Areas (EAs) within the ‘tikina’ boundaries of our 14 provinces and Rotuma.

Data collection will involve the deployment of :
  • 40 Superintendents
  • 90 Area Coordinators
  • 1920 enumerators
  • 475 supervisors
  • 200 GPS waypoint collection staff, and
  • 20 support staff

Importance of a Census

The Census is aimed at gathering information on all persons living in the country on census night. The information is gathered by enumerators who will visit households, institutions, hotels and ships. The Census Office will process the information to provide data on:
    1. Number of people, where they live and population trends
    2. Population characteristics, such as age, sex, educational attainment and ethnicity
    3. Economic activities people are engaged in, opportunities available and the informal sector
    4. Labour supply and demand with employment and unemployment details
    5. Status of Children, Youth and the Elderly
    6. Health indicators such as Infant Mortality Rate and Average Life Expectancy at Birth
    7. Details of housing, household amenities, belongings and living conditions
    8. Internal Migration.
Census results are important as a planning tool for making informed policy decision. These may include:
  • Formulation of policies impacting on children, youths and the elderly;
  • Formulation of localised development plans for villages, settlements and other localities
  • Assessment of current living standards and identifying future needs such as safe water supply, hygienic toilet facilities, sanitary waste disposal, proper housing, electricity, secure land tenure and telecommunication
  • Labour Supply and Demand information to put in place training programmes and plans to meet the country’s needs
  • Formulation of policies and programmes to develop the informal sector, alternative livelihood, and income generating opportunities which are effective means of reducing poverty
  • Revision of the current Election Constituency Boundaries
  • Information on internal migration to guide the formulation of development strategies in meeting the changing regional needs.

After the Census

After the census forms are collected, they are checked and taken for processing. Once we have analysed the data we put that information into different formats so they can be used by various user groups and individuals. The provisional result of the census 2007 will be released the end of October 2007.

Confidentiality of Information you Provide

The Census collects information relating to each person and household in the country. The personal information you provide in your Census form remains confidential to FIBOS. No information will be released in a way that would enable users of Census data to identify any particular individual or household. All personal information collected in the 2007 Census will be kept confidential. The Census Act and Statistics Act guarantees this protection and legally binds all FIBOS staff [including temporary employees working during the Census] never to release personal information to any individual or organisation outside the FIBOS.

What types of information is required during a Census?

The enumerators will require the following information from each household:

For all persons
  • name
  • person's relationship to head of household
  • sex
  • date of birth
  • ethnic group
  • marital status
  • parents alive/dead
  • religion
  • place of birth
  • usual place of residence
  • where did the person live five years ago
  • what is the person's place of origin [for Fijians only]
  • residency status
  • educational background


    • For all persons born in 1997 or before
  • person's work
  • occupation
  • place of work
  • employment status


    • For all women born in 1992 or before
  • number of children by sex
  • number of children dead
  • date of birth of last child born alive
  • sex of the last child born
  • is the child still alive


    • Household and Housing
  • type of living quarter
  • construction of outer walls
  • number of rooms
  • main water supply
  • electricity supply
  • lighting
  • cooking fuel
  • toilet facilities
  • tenure: living quarters
  • tenure: land
  • land use
  • waste disposal
  • items owned by members of the household
  • livestock/pets

    Remittances
  • does the household receive money from overseas


    • Disability
  • does anyone in the household have difficulty with seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, behaviour, mobility, personal care


    • For more information contact Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics [FIBOS] on tollfree: 0800 3315871

    Census 2007 questionnaire [in PDF format]:



    Key Statistics