by Richard Sanders, Associate Editor
A Fijian economist has highlighted that around three percent of Fiji’s population has emigrated due to various challenges facing the country, such as inflation, unemployment, high living costs, labor shortages, and government debt. These issues are compounded by a growing drug crisis. Many skilled and semi-skilled workers are leaving for countries like Australia and New Zealand, making up about 15 percent of Fiji’s labor force.
Over the past 18 months, more than 70,000 people have left Fiji for education and job opportunities abroad, posing a significant loss to the country’s economy. The recent revision of Fiji’s GDP growth forecast to 2.8 percent reflects the impact of citizens migrating overseas on consumption spending and government expenditure.
Professor Satish Chand from the University of New South Wales emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of emigration and finding solutions to retain skilled workers. He mentioned the need to focus on economic growth and investor confidence, as well as carefully managing the country’s debt without imposing harsh austerity measures.
The Labour Party (FLP) also stressed the importance of managing debt levels, investing in essential infrastructure, and supporting the economy through strategic budget decisions. The tourism sector, a significant contributor to Fiji’s economy, has shown signs of recovery post-Covid, although it faces challenges related to capacity constraints in accommodation and labor.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Biman Prasad, is expected to address these critical issues in the upcoming budget announcement.
