Fiji’s poverty rate for 2019-20 is now estimated at 24.1%, compared to 29.9% previously recorded – World Bank

Fiji’s poverty rate for 2019-20 is now estimated at 24.1%, compared to 29.9% previously recorded – World Bank

By Vijay Narayan
25/04/2022
[Photo: File]

The World Bank says that Fiji’s national poverty rate for 2019-20 is now estimated at 24.1%, compared to 29.9% previously recorded.

This change affects consumption-based poverty estimates based on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

The World Bank says the household consumption estimates in Fiji’s 2019-2020 Household Income and Expenditure Survey have been updated to account for revised estimates on spending on non-food items such as utilities, communications, domestic services and education.

It says the discrepancy in the coding was identified by the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Global Practice Team during a cross-check review exercise to ensure Fiji’s Survey remains in-line with international practices.

The World Bank regrets that this error was not identified earlier.

The review identified that in the consumption aggregate estimated from the 2019-20 Survey, expenditure on four non-food categories: utilities (electricity, gas, water, garbage collection), communications (telephone, TV, internet and postal) domestic services and education (including school fees and books) was only included for households that spend on all sub-categories.

The revised expenditure measures now represent total spending on any of these items, bringing these figures in line with international standards.

The change has resulted in household consumption figures being revised upwards for most Fijian households, with non-food consumption originally representing 4 percent of total household consumption, now accounting for 11%.

Fiji's national poverty line remains virtually unchanged at (FJ$2179.4 in the original, compared to FJ$2179.5 in the revision), due to the relatively uniform distribution of non-food expenditures among the households in the original and revised reference groups used to calculate the poverty line.

Poverty estimates have now been revised downwards in both urban and rural areas. The revised poverty rate for the rural areas is 36.5%, down from the original 41.5% while the rate for urban areas is 14%, down from the original 20.4%.

The World Bank says it should be noted that the 2019-20 poverty estimates are based on consumption per capita and cannot be compared directly to 2013-14 poverty measures which were based on income.

Read: Full World Bank Report on Fiji's Poverty Rate

FEATURE NEWS
Serevi leading call to action in fight against drugs
Rugby Legend and 7s Wizard Waisale Serevi is leading a call to action in the fight against drugs and in protecting the children of Fiji. Serevi hig...
9 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Wan Squad light up Fiji Showcase 2025 stage
2024 World Hip Hop Champions Wan Squad had the crowd moving to the beat at Lenyes Saturday Fiji Showcase 2025. Wan Squad had the crowd eating out ...
4 hours ago

Yoga is now part of Fiji and belongs to all of us – Prof. Prasad
In the early morning at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel, yoga mats stretched across the ground as people of all races, ages, and backgrounds came ...
8 hours ago

No glamour in prison – ASC Dausiga
There is nothing glamorous about life in Prison. Assistant Superintendent of Corrections, Isireli Dausiga highlighted this to students of Kalabu ...
10 hours ago

Navtarang/Sargam Fiji Showcase Dhamaka Show promises big fun, prizes and community vibes
Following last year smashing success, people can expect a bigger and better Fiji Showcase experience during Navtarang/Sargam Dhamaka Show ...
11 hours ago

FWCC calls for PM to remove Charan Jeath Singh from cabinet over public outbursts
The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre is calling on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to remove Charan Jeath Singh from cabinet as Minister for Multi-Ethnic ...
13 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Women in Media Conference 2025
Top journalists, media workers, civil society voices, and regional delegates meeting in Suva for the inaugural Women in Media Conference 2025.
2 days ago

Ben Salacakau and Glenis Yee on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show focuses on the gaps in Fiji’s education system and what needs to be done, the pressure on committee run schools to keep the schools ...
8 days ago

Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach Osea Kolinisau on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Osea Kolinisau on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
12 days ago

TOP