New Zealand and Australia emerge as the top two destinations for Fijian migrants.
According to the statistics highlighted by Senior Economist Shamal Chand in the Westpac Banking Corporation’s Quarterly Economic Update, in 2023, New Zealand registered a record net migration gain of 126,000 individuals, with Fijian citizens ranking fourth highest at 10,630 individuals who migrated.
Similarly, Australia witnessed a historic net migration gain of 518,000 during the 2022-2023 financial year, with Fijian migrants at 18th on the list at 7,680 individuals.
Chand said the widespread loss of human capital across both the private and public sectors in Fiji has become a focal discussion point in numerous forums, prompting calls for immediate action.
“Simultaneously, efforts are underway to explore alternative avenues for labour sourcing from other countries and streamlining immigration rules and regulations.”
“However, the influx of foreign workers into Fiji will coincide with increased outflow of worker remittances in near term, a risk we need to be mindful of that will require oversight.”
He said overall, the appetite for permanent migration by Fijians remain quite elevated, evidenced by 8.9 percent increase in emigration reaching 624 individuals during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
“On the other hand, latest data released by Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBOS) have indicated
temporary resident departures for reasons relating to overseas employment and education have somewhat declined by 10 percent in first quarter.”
“The surge in emigration observed in early 2022 remained elevated on monthly terms through 2023 and into 2024. This has led to significant void in the domestic labour market, leading to logistical issues faced by local businesses on labour procurement.”
“This wave of migration initially stemmed from a backlog following COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020-2021 and relaxed visa criteria on temporary residency in Australia and
New Zealand.”
Noting a record gain in net migration last year, New Zealand has since said it is “unsustainable” and have implemented stricter visa regulations, particularly for low-skilled workers, including heightened English language proficiency requirements and a reduced maximum stay duration from 5 years to 3 years.
Australia, in December 2023, also pledged to halve immigration by imposing rigorous visa standards for international students and low-skilled labour.
However, these short-term restrictions will be subject to reassessment periodically given dwindling fertility rates in both countries and irregular domestic labour supply posing challenges to the economy, an issue prevalent across most advanced economies.
Fiji is currently grappling with a substantial exodus of both skilled and unskilled workers, a trend that intensified since the reopening of borders in December 2021.
