An estimated 25,627 Fijians migrated overseas over 2022 and 2023 on a net basis, “the highest number since records began in 2005”, a new research by ANZ Bank has revealed.
In its latest Pacific Insight report authored by ANZ Pacific’s senior economists Kishti Sen and Tom Kenny, ANZ Bank highlighted this number was about three per cent of Fiji’s population.
“The spike in overseas departures was driven by a record number of Fijians leaving for study and work in Australia and New Zealand,” the authors wrote.
“This was made possible by accommodative migration policy in Australia and New Zealand, as their governments looked to fill workforce gaps opened up by the closed borders over 2020 and 2021.”
The authors believe however that the trend will ease from next year.
“We believe this to be a temporary phenomenon.
“The need for high migration numbers in both destination countries has now run its course and will decline from here. Both have tightened visa eligibility rules and made pathways to a permanent residency visa stricter.
“Together, these decisions will slow the flow of people from Fiji.
“In addition, the expiration of student and work visas should see the numbers of people arriving in Fiji pick up over the next two years, further easing the net loss of population.
“Hence Fiji’s population is expected to start growing again from 2025, supporting economic activity and labour force growth.”
According to the report, Fiji’s total long-term migration to Australia and New Zealand (for education and employment) sharply increased from 8302 in 2022 — a 39.7 per cent increase over 2019 — to 19,196 in 2023, a 131.2 per cent increase over 2022.
