Fijian communities debts a concern

Store credit, hire purchase and personal loans are the most common forms of credit used by rural Fijian communities and 50 percent of income is being used to pay off such debts.

In their financial capability, financial competence and well being in Rural Fijian Households report, UNDP Chief Analyst Jeff Liew revealed on average a rural Fijian household has an average of a monthly debt of $150 to $200.

The report stated that this sees nearly half of income being used to pay off this debt and as a result this means lesser money for the household everyday use.

The report went on to highlight that this would mean that the families go back to shops and take food and household items on loan and the cycle continues.

Liew also mentioned that as a result, nearly 80 percent of rural communities in the country are somehow in debt and the only way to tackle this problem would be to have more financial literacy programs.

Following the release of the UNDP report, the government agreed to financial literacy being taught to primary school students.