Fiji has initiated its first comprehensive review of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) legislation in five decades, aiming to modernize systems for recording births, deaths, and other vital events. The reform seeks to replace outdated processes and strengthen the country’s capacity to deliver accurate, timely data for governance and development planning.

Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca emphasized that the overhaul will move civil registration “from the typewriter to the tablet era.” The current framework, dating back to 1975, relies on paper-based forms and manual signatures, creating inefficiencies and limiting data integration across health, registry, and statistical agencies. These gaps hinder service delivery and the establishment of legal identity, which is essential for access to education, banking, and social services.

The year-long initiative, supported by the Pacific Community (SPC) and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Data for Health Initiative, will be led by Pacific legal experts to build regional capacity. Modernization is expected to improve data quality—particularly on causes of death—informing health and education policy. Currently, Fiji records 71% of births and 88% of deaths, underscoring the need for systemic reform to achieve universal coverage.

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Fiji also marked a key milestone in its efforts to modernize its CRVS system with the conclusion of a two-day Stakeholder Engagement Workshop. The session successfully convened representatives from government agencies, technical partners, development organizations, and civil society. Participants validated findings from an extensive desk review and initial interviews while refining a preliminary gap analysis and specific reform options. The critical input gathered will directly shape the content of an upcoming Recommendations Report aimed at strengthening Fiji's CRVS framework.

The collaborative workshop was organized in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Justice and the Pacific Community (SPC). Support for the project is provided by Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative. The constructive discussions reinforced a shared, strong commitment among all stakeholders to building a modern, resilient, and accurate CRVS system for Fiji.