Fiji’s Bureau of Statistics is moving from traditional paper questionnaires to mobile phone data collection as part of a broader modernization of the country’s statistical system. The move, led by FBOS chief executive Kemueli Naiqama, aims to boost efficiency and speed in producing official statistics.
Historically, data collection relied on face-to-face interviews, with a shift to tablets already completed in 2017. The latest step—trialed during UNICEF-supported surveys—tests mobile phone-based collection to capture information earlier and to enable faster analytical work after data are gathered. Naiqama stressed that the effort is about finding the best way to capture data quickly while keeping analysis timely.
One of the most tangible benefits highlighted is the reduction in publication delays. When relying on paper questionnaires, final reports could take as long as nine months to a year. Under the new approach, publication timelines are shrinking to six months, and in some cases four to six months, allowing data to remain relevant for decision-making.
This modernization aligns with Fiji’s broader push toward timely, longitudinal data that can support policy and development planning ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The UNICEF-supported MICS Plus program, which aggregates insights across multiple waves into a single view, has been a central motivator for adopting phone-based, real-time collection. In Wave 3, data were gathered from more than 2,000 participants, offering a deeper, ongoing picture of livelihoods, water and electricity access, education, and digital connectivity.
The shift also comes amid a broader emphasis on data independence and governance. Fiji is increasing funding and staffing to meet rising demand from ministries, the private sector, and international partners, with an eye toward establishing a more autonomous statistical office that can serve evolving national needs without undue influence. This trajectory is reinforced by ongoing collaborations with UNICEF and other partners to strengthen data governance and standardize data use across government programs.
The move to phone-based data collection is timely given recent survey findings showing strong digital connectivity in Fiji: high internet and smartphone penetration, especially in urban areas, alongside continued gaps in rural access to services. Taken together, these trends suggest that real-time, phone-based data can be a powerful tool to identify hotspots, track progress on SDG indicators, and guide targeted investments in water, electricity, education, and digital infrastructure.
Overall, the flip to mobile data collection signals a new era where statistics are more timely and actionable, empowering policymakers, development partners, and communities to respond faster to Fiji’s evolving needs. It paints an optimistic picture of data-driven progress as the country accelerates toward the 2030 SDGs with strengthened partnerships and a clearer mandate for independent, credible statistics.
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