Fiji’s natural resources include water, forests and remarkable marine biodiversity. What are Fiji’s most important natural resources? The archipelago has 28.55 km³ of renewable freshwater resources, forest cover of 63.5% and 1,357 fish species, as well as the Monasavu hydroelectric scheme, the largest in the country.
Fiji, an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations thanks to its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Fiji has a wide variety of natural resources that are fundamental to its economy and survival.
Table de contenidos
What are Fiji’s most important natural resources? What is the country’s natural wealth like? Which minerals can be found there, and how does it rank globally? How is energy generated in Fiji, and where does its water come from? Which animals and plants can be found in Fiji, and how diverse are they? How is land used, and how is biodiversity protected in Fiji?
Natural resources
Natural resources are materials or energy sources provided by or found on Earth that are useful to humans. Every product we manufacture is made up of natural resources.
- Renewable resources: these can be restored by natural processes faster than the rate at which they are consumed. Examples include solar radiation, wind, hydroelectric power, water when used properly, and plant and animal life.
- Non-renewable resources: once extracted, these are depleted and cannot regenerate. Examples include hydrocarbons, metals and minerals.
Examples of Fiji’s main natural resources
Fiji in data: threatened biodiversity
Species at risk and protected area, with the latest available data.
| Threatened species | 149 mammals, birds, fish and plants2022 |
|---|---|
| Protected land area | 3.9% of land area2025 |
| Marine protected areas | 0.9% of its waters2025 |
| Forest cover | 63.5% of land area2023 |
| Annual change in forest area | +67 km² per year (2018–2023) |
| Land area | 18,270 km²2023 |
Water resources of Fiji
Fiji had 28.55 km³ of renewable freshwater resources in 2020, which places it 99th in the world ranking. This Pacific island country has many rivers and lakes, the main ones being the Rewa River and the Sigatoka River.
These freshwater reserves are vital to the survival of the population and to the country’s economy.
Average rainfall and soils of Fiji
Fiji has an average annual rainfall of 2,592 mm, which places it 11th in the world for precipitation. Because of this high moisture, Fiji’s soils are generally very fertile and rich in nutrients, which makes them ideal for agriculture.
However, they can also be prone to erosion and flooding in steeply sloping areas.
Renewable electricity and hydropower production in Fiji
In 2024, Fiji generated 730 GWh of electricity from renewable sources — 63% of its total generation of 1.2 TWh — and hydropower alone supplied 600 GWh (Ember, 2024). The country’s main hydroelectric scheme is Monasavu, on the island of Viti Levu, whose Wailoa power station has an installed capacity of 80 MW.
Forest resources of Fiji
In 2023, the country’s forest area made up 63.5% of its land area, equivalent to 11,600.6 km² (The Global Economy).
These figures place Fiji 114th in the world for forest area.
Environmental performance and protection of Fiji’s natural resources
Fiji’s score on the Environmental Performance Index (2024) is 46.0, which places it 87th in the index. In addition, protected areas cover 3.9% of the country’s land area and 0.9% of its waters.
Natural parks of Fiji: the hidden wealth of natural resources
Biodiversity: animal and plant resources of Fiji
Birds of Fiji
Fiji has a great diversity of birds, with a total of 164 species (worldrainforests.com). It has 31 endemic bird species, according to Avibase (2025).
However, it is also important to note that 14 of these bird species are endangered, so measures are needed to protect this valuable natural resource. The country’s flagship bird is the masked shining parrot (Prosopeia personata), which is found only on Viti Levu and is listed as Near Threatened.
Fish and amphibians of Fiji
In 2019, 3 amphibian species were recorded in the country, placing it 94th in the world.
Fiji also has an impressive 1,357 fish species (worldrainforests.com). However, 20 of these fish species are threatened.
Mammals of Fiji
Fiji has one endemic mammal species and 7 threatened mammal species. It also ranks 71st in the world for endemic mammals.
Reptiles of Fiji
Fiji has a diversity of 44 reptile species (worldrainforests.com). This natural resource is very important for the country’s biodiversity, most notably the Fiji crested iguana.
Organizations that protect or study Fiji’s natural resources
- NatureFiji-MareqetiViti – Works to protect Fiji’s wildlife and plants, including endangered species.
- WWF Pacific – Works with local communities and the government to protect Fiji’s natural resources and promote sustainability.
- Government of Fiji – Implements policies and programs to protect natural resources and promote sustainability in the country.
- Seacology – Works with local communities in Fiji to protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
- Conservation International – Works with the government and local communities to protect Fiji’s biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Secretariat of the Pacific Community – Works with Pacific countries, including Fiji, on sustainable natural resource management and climate change.
The product that made Fiji world-famous comes not from its mines or its cane fields but from an artesian aquifer in the Yaqara Valley on the island of Viti Levu: Fiji Water bottled water. These exports reached around 150 million Fijian dollars a year, and the local plant had 400 employees in 2010 (Fiji Water, Wikipedia, 2010).
Sugarcane, the backbone of the rural economy
Sugarcane supports much of rural Fiji. In 2018 the country produced 1.3 million tonnes of sugarcane, and toward the end of the 20th century sugar and garments each provided about a quarter of export earnings, around 122 million dollars each in 1998 (Economy of Fiji, Wikipedia). Agriculture employed 44.2% of the labor force in 2011, compared with about 70% in 2001 (Agriculture in Fiji, Wikipedia).
Gold began in Vatukoula
The country’s gold mining began at Vatukoula, in northern Viti Levu, where the Emperor Gold Mining Company started operations in 1934. Output grew more than a hundredfold in five years, from 931.4 ounces in 1934 to 107,788.5 ounces in 1939, making Vatukoula the cradle of modern gold mining in Fiji; gold, silver and copper are still extracted there (Vatukoula, Wikipedia; Economy of Fiji, Wikipedia).
A sea 70 times larger than its land
With just 18,272 km² of land spread over 332 islands, Fiji manages an exclusive economic zone of 1,282,978 km² in the South Pacific, a marine domain about 70 times larger than its land area (Geography of Fiji, Wikipedia). Fishery products once provided about a tenth of export earnings, and timber is the country’s third-largest export (Economy of Fiji, Wikipedia).
Sources used
- Economic data by country – The Global Economy
- Forest area (km²) – World Bank
- Forest area (% of land area) – World Bank
- Arable land area (km²) – World Bank
- Water and agriculture statistics – FAO
- Precipitation (mm) – World Bank
- Environmental Performance Index – Environmental Performance Index
- Bird species – Mongabay
- Amphibian species by country – Mongabay
- Mammal species – Mongabay
- Endemic mammal species – Our World in Data
- Plant species – Mongabay
- Reptile species by country – Mongabay
- Endemic bird species by country – Our World in Data
The FAO estimated in 2023 that forests cover about 63.5% of Fiji’s land area and host rich tropical biodiversity unique to the South Pacific.
Last updated: September 26, 2026
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