New findings from the Fiji STEPS Survey 2025 reveal that more than half of Fiji’s population is not engaging in any form of vigorous physical activity, with women and older adults particularly affected.
The survey shows that 56.4 per cent of people reported no participation in vigorous activity.
A stark gender gap was recorded, with 75.3 per cent of women engaging in no vigorous physical activity, compared with 38.5 per cent of men.
Age was also a key factor. Among people aged 60 to 69, more than 82 per cent reported no vigorous activity, while 43.8 per cent of those aged 18 to 29 said they did not participate in such activity.
Sedentary behaviour remains widespread. On average, Fijians spend nearly four hours a day sitting or reclining.
Urban residents were more sedentary, averaging 236 minutes per day, compared with 212 minutes in rural communities.
The survey also found differences by ethnicity, with Fijians of Indian descent recording higher sedentary time than iTaukei Fijians.
Despite this, nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they had been advised by a doctor or health worker in the past year to start or increase physical activity.
The survey highlights a “physical activity paradox” in Fiji.
While rural residents accumulate more total physical activity through work and daily movement, they engage in less vigorous activity than urban residents.
