Fiji has been experiencing a considerable wave of emigration over the past two years, with 40,000 more Fijians
departing the country than returning. This trend has raised concerns among policymakers and economists, who are grappling with the implications of this labour exodus on the nation’s economy and workforce.
The primary drivers behind this mass migration are the attractive opportunities for employment and education in Australia and New Zealand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries eased their visa requirements to address labour shortages caused by the closure of international borders. This move opened the doors for many Fijians, particularly young workers and students, to seek better prospects abroad. According to recent data, the number of Fijians in vocational education and training programmes in Australia surged from 8,356 in 2022 to over 30,000 by the end of 2023.
In response to this trend, the Fijian government has taken steps to mitigate the impact on the local workforce. One of the key measures has been to raise the retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 62 years. This policy aims to retain experienced workers in the public sector, thereby addressing the gaps left by the younger population moving abroad. Additionally, the government is considering recruiting more foreign workers and has eased investment and visa restrictions for former citizens, encouraging them to return and reinvest in Fiji.
The government’s actions underscore the severity of the labour shortage, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, and public administration, where the loss of skilled workers is most acutely felt. The Fijian economy, heavily reliant on these sectors, is struggling to maintain services and productivity levels in the face of this ongoing emigration.
However, experts like Sharon Liu from the Development Policy Centre suggest that these measures, while necessary, may only serve as temporary fixes. The current exodus is probably not merely a temporary spike but reflects deeper socio-economic challenges, such as limited job prospects and lower wages, which need to be addressed to retain talent and support long-term economic stability.
The long-term health of Fiji’s economy may well depend on its ability to balance the benefits of emigration, such as remittances, with the need to sustain a robust and capable domestic workforce.
