The 2026 National Skills Gap Assessment Survey has revealed that Fiji’s workforce remains predominantly iTaukei, while Indo-Fijian participation has shown steady growth over recent years.
According to the survey released yesterday, iTaukei workers accounted for 62 per cent of the workforce in 2025, down slightly from 65.6 per cent in 2024 and 64.3 per cent in 2022. Indo-Fijians made up 33 per cent in 2025, rising from 30.5 per cent in 2024 and 32 per cent in 2022.
The “Others” category — which includes minority groups and expatriates — increased to 5 per cent in 2025, compared with 3.9 per cent in 2024 and 3.7 per cent in 2022.
The report noted that the workforce composition experienced a temporary shift in 2024, before returning closer to earlier patterns in 2025.
“Overall, the data shows a temporary but significant shift in 2024… followed by a reversion in 2025 to a distribution more consistent with 2022,” the report stated.
Further analysis comparing employment trends within each ethnic group showed Indo-Fijians recorded consistent growth over the three-year period, increasing their share from 31.4 per cent in 2022 to 36 per cent in 2025.
The “Others” category recorded the most significant expansion, rising sharply from 27.5 per cent in 2022 to 41.1 per cent in 2025, indicating increasing diversity within the workforce.
Meanwhile, the iTaukei share showed moderate fluctuations, rising to 34.9 per cent in 2024 before easing slightly to 33.7 per cent in 2025.
The findings highlight evolving workforce dynamics, with gradual diversification and shifting participation across ethnic groups, even as iTaukei workers continue to form the majority of Fiji’s labour force.
