The Employment and Unemployment Survey 2023–2024 shows the Central Division has the largest share of Fiji’s working-age population and labour force, reflecting its position as the country’s main economic hub.
According to the survey, the Central Division recorded 265,652 people in the working-age population, followed by the Western Division with 234,779. The Northern Division had 88,527, while the Eastern Division recorded the lowest at 25,874.
The labour force distribution followed a similar pattern, with 141,912 people in the Central Division, 125,425 in the Western Division, 34,804 in the Northern Division, and 12,757 in the Eastern Division.
The report also highlighted differences in labour force participation by age group across the divisions.
Among youth aged 15–24 years, the Central Division recorded the highest participation with 16,602 individuals, while the Eastern Division had the lowest at 768. The survey noted this reflects the concentration of educational institutions and entry-level employment opportunities in the Central Division.
For the 25–64 age group, the Central Division again led with 120,420 individuals, reinforcing its role as the backbone of Fiji’s workforce. The Western Division also recorded strong participation, supported by its diverse economic base in tourism, agriculture and industry.
Within the 15–35 age group, 58,418 workers were based in the Central Division, followed by 50,081 in the Western Division, indicating that urban centres continue to attract younger workers seeking employment and career opportunities.
The survey also found that 78,604 people aged 36–64 years were in the labour force in the Central Division, reflecting its strong concentration of employment opportunities across both the public and private sectors.
