Birth registration delays in Fiji are particularly pronounced in Taveuni and Tailevu, as revealed by the latest report from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). The report highlights that the average duration between a child’s birth and their registration stands at a troubling 685 days in Taveuni and 681 days in Tailevu—nearly two years in both areas.
According to the FBoS, the findings from the report titled “Addressing gender inequities in on-time birth registration in Fiji through identification of priority geographic areas for targeted interventions” indicate significant discrepancies in the volume and timing of birth registrations across various civil registry offices. From 2015 to 2024, a total of 158,153 births were officially recorded, yet the distribution of these registrations varied widely, with the Suva Registry handling the largest share at 36.2 percent, amounting to 57,304 registered births.
In terms of other registry offices, Lautoka followed with 13.7 percent (21,725), Labasa contributed 9.5 percent (15,088), Nausori registered 7.3 percent (11,585), and Nadi accounted for 6.9 percent (10,929). The report noted that several smaller offices, including Rotuma, Seaqaqa, and Navosa, had fewer than 100 registrations over the last decade.
The bureau also outlined a troubling average delay of 427 days for birth registrations nationwide. This estimate, described as the absolute minimum, is expected to rise, especially with a significant portion of children born from 2021 to 2024—estimated between 40 to 70 percent—yet to be registered and likely facing late registration challenges.
When analyzing the registration times by office, stark contrasts emerged. Offices with at least 1,000 registrations such as Lautoka and Ba were more efficient, with average registration intervals of 352 and 363 days, respectively. In contrast, Taveuni and Tailevu experienced much longer delays.
The report further revealed that approximately 71.5 percent of births were registered on time, defined as within 365 days. However, this figure varied significantly across different registry offices; Lautoka boasted an impressive 77.5 percent of timely registrations, followed closely by Ba at 77.2 percent. Conversely, Taveuni and Tailevu had much lower rates, with only 55.6 percent and 55.3 percent of births registered on time.
The findings underscore a critical need for targeted interventions to improve timely birth registration, particularly in regions most affected by delays. Enhanced support and resources for local registry offices could pave the way for a more efficient registration process, ultimately ensuring that every child receives their legal identity promptly.