STRENGTHS AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT 13 The tax regime has been reformed to improve tax administration, strengthen compliance and maintain broad-based and low tax rates. Strengthening compliance, simplifying tax administration, and ensuring certainty and predictability are the key guiding principles of revenue policy. Government debt as a percentage of GDP was reduced from 48.4 percent in 2014 to 47 percent in 2016. In line with the national targets, debt will be reduced to 35 percent of GDP in the next 20 years. 2.3 SOCIAL PROTECTION Fiji’s social welfare system continues to evolve to ensure that it is well targeted and provides support to vulnerable Fijians in need. Social protection programmes have been expanded from welfare allowances to support the living expenses of needy families, the elderly and disabled persons. In addition, targeted assistance is provided to support education, the health of pregnant women in rural areas, subsidies to access basic utilities, and access to essential medicine. Social Development Social development policies have focused on empowering Fijians to attain sustainable livelihoods. Development has been made more people-centred with provision of better healthcare, education, water and electricity and social safety nets to ensure higher living standards. EDUCATION Fiji has a high literacy rate. This is supported by universal access to primary, secondary and tertiary education. Increased opportunities are being provided for technical and vocational training. This focus on education is supporting the development of a knowledge-based society that will result in positive ripples throughout the economy through improvements in efficiency and productivity, the rate of diffusion and adoption of technology, and research and innovation. Over the past five years, government has increased investment in education at all levels through the free education initiative, bus fare assistance, free textbooks for primary and secondary education, and tertiary education scholarship and loan schemes. HEALTH Significant progress has been made in increasing life expectancy, improving health outcomes in mothers and children, and reducing illness from communicable diseases. Life expectancy at birth stands at 70 years, a consistent improvement over the years. This increase can be attributed to improvements in public health, nutrition and medicine. The maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 live births) has declined. Almost all births are now attended by skilled health professionals, indicative of the strength and efficiency of maternal and child health programs. The mortality rate for children under the age of five years has also significantly dropped, with marked reduction in infant mortality rates. Improving access and quality of public health services remains a major priority, particularly in addressing noncommunicable diseases and dealing effectively with the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. HOUSING There has been significant public investment to improve access to affordable housing. Government assistance is provided for the purchase and construction of new homes for first-home owners. Major squatter resettlement programmes and provision of leases for those on state land are continuing. Access to land and provision of utility services have been extended to informal settlements. More land development projects and provision of new residential blocks have also been undertaken, including funding support for iTaukei land development. GENDER EQUALITY There has been a noticeable improvement in the female literacy rate over the last four decades. Indicators also show improvements in the labour force participation rate for females. Achieving gender equality in decision-making and income levels and eliminating violence against women in accordance with international conventions is crucial for sustainable development. Sex disaggregated data on the value of development programmes allows agencies to refine strategies for equitable distribution of resources.