As many as 7174 Fijians left the country in the first five months of 2023 to work overseas, while 1217 permanently emigrated, said the Ministry of Finance in its Economic and Fiscal Update Supplement that was released on Friday.
The ministry said labour market conditions strengthened further in the first four months of the year.
“The number of vacancies advertised grew by 23.6 per cent cumulative to April 2023. The outturn is underpinned by recruitment across most sectors,” said the ministry.
“This is also validated by the increase in FNPF member registrations (six per cent), and total wages paid (5.1 per cent) in March, 2023.”
“Given the tight labour market conditions in neighbouring countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, Fiji is experiencing an exodus of skilled labour force.
“In 2022, 16,967 people left Fiji for employment opportunities, an increase of 31.3 per cent when compared with pre-COVID levels (2019). “Similarly, 5335 people emigrated permanently in 2022, an increase of 10.9 per cent compared with 2019. For this year till May, 7174 individuals have already left Fiji for employment reasons while 1217 permanently emigrated.”
