More than 1,100 Fijian residents departed the country for employment in May 2026, highlighting the continued demand for overseas work opportunities, according to the latest figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.
The provisional data show that 1,142 residents left Fiji for employment-related purposes during the month, making it the third-largest category of resident departures after holidays and visits to friends and relatives.
Of those departing for work, 256 people left for periods of less than three months, while 428 were away for between three and 12 months. Another 458 residents departed for one to five years.
Meanwhile, 143 residents emigrated permanently or for more than five years, representing one percent of all departures recorded during the month.
Overall, most resident departures were for short-term travel, with 13,181 people, or 90.3 percent of all departures, leaving for less than three months.
Only 556 residents travelled for periods of between three and 12 months, while 702 departed for one to five years. A further 162 residents left permanently or for more than five years.
The latest figures reflect Fiji’s continued labour mobility trends, with overseas employment opportunities remaining a significant draw for many Fijians seeking work abroad.
