Moving to South Africa from Fiji

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Fiji to South Africa? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Fiji to South Africa.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Fiji to South Africa.

Living there in 2020
53 ↑ 15% vs 2015

people born in Fiji live in South Africa · UN DESA

Who's moving to South Africa?

Top countries of origin for South Africa's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in South Africa compared to Fiji.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

FJ
2.2
ZA
45.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

FJ
5.3
ZA
24.5

Fiji performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

FJ
$548
ZA
$1,354
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

FJ
8.1
ZA
8.1

Fiji generally does better on health & wellbeing, though South Africa leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

FJ
37.0
ZA
47.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

FJ
1.6t
ZA
6.9t

Fiji performs better than South Africa across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

FJ
2.5
ZA
3.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

FJ
0.3%
ZA
66.9%

Fiji generally does better on infrastructure, though South Africa leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

FJ
4.3%
ZA
28.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

FJ
$13,600
ZA
$14,300

Fiji generally does better on employment & economy, though South Africa leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

FJ
74.3 yrs
ZA
65.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

FJ
10.1
ZA
25.9

Fiji generally does better on family life, though South Africa leads in education spending.

Data: Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Suva Rain: 119.7 in/yr (3040 mm)
84° / 72°F

Avg. annual high / low

Pretoria Rain: 27.0 in/yr (685 mm)
77° / 55°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Suva Pretoria
Jan–Mar 87°/75°F (31°/24°C) 83°/64°F (28°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 83°/72°F (29°/22°C) 72°/48°F (22°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 80°/69°F (27°/21°C) 72°/47°F (22°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 84°/72°F (29°/22°C) 79°/60°F (26°/15°C)
View all months
Month Suva Pretoria
Jan 87°/75°F (30.6°/23.7°C) 84°/65°F (29.0°/18.1°C)
Feb 88°/75°F (31.0°/23.8°C) 84°/64°F (28.7°/18.0°C)
Mar 87°/74°F (30.6°/23.5°C) 81°/62°F (27.3°/16.6°C)
Apr 85°/73°F (29.7°/23.0°C) 77°/56°F (24.8°/13.1°C)
May 83°/72°F (28.3°/22.0°C) 72°/48°F (22.4°/8.7°C)
Jun 82°/71°F (27.6°/21.4°C) 67°/41°F (19.6°/5.2°C)
Jul 80°/69°F (26.5°/20.4°C) 68°/42°F (19.8°/5.3°C)
Aug 80°/69°F (26.6°/20.5°C) 72°/47°F (22.3°/8.2°C)
Sep 81°/70°F (27.0°/20.9°C) 76°/53°F (24.4°/11.8°C)
Oct 82°/71°F (27.8°/21.7°C) 77°/57°F (25.2°/14.0°C)
Nov 84°/72°F (28.9°/22.5°C) 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.4°C)
Dec 86°/74°F (29.8°/23.2°C) 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.0°C)

Data: Fiji Meteorological Service Fiji Meteorological Service, South African Weather Service South African Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Fiji and South Africa. To live, work, or study long-term in South Africa, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check South Africa's immigration authority.

Fiji passport

Fiji passport holder visiting South Africa

Visa Required
Fiji passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa.
South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Fiji

Visa Free
South Africa passport holders can enter Fiji without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from South Africa?

Connectivity is usually fine (South Africa: 3.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does South Africa offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is South Africa safe for expats?

Fiji performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in South Africa is 45.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.2 in Fiji.

How is healthcare in South Africa compared to Fiji?

Fiji generally does better on health & wellbeing, though South Africa leads in health coverage index. There are 8.1 doctors per 10,000 people in South Africa, compared to 8.1 in Fiji. South Africa scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Fiji: 58).

What's the weather like in South Africa compared to Fiji?

The average high temperature in Pretoria is 77°F, compared to 84°F in Suva. Pretoria receives around 27.0 in of rainfall per year, while Suva gets 119.7 in.

What language do they speak in South Africa?

The official languages in South Africa are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. In Fiji, the official languages are English, Fiji Hindi and Fijian.

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At a Glance

FJ ZA
Population 943,737 57,516,665
Currency Fijian Dollar (FJD) South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages English, Fiji Hindi, Fijian Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +679 +27
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911 10111