Labour market conditions in Fiji showed signs of continued softening toward the end of 2025, as reflected in the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s latest Economic Review. The report revealed a 3 percent decline in job advertisements for the year leading up to November, indicating a decrease in labour demand across various sectors.
However, this downward trend was somewhat mitigated by a 1.5 percent increase in formal employment registrations with the Fiji National Provident Fund up to October, suggesting that more individuals are entering the formal workforce despite the challenges in hiring.
Additionally, the review pointed out a significant 10.1 percent decrease in long-term resident departures, indicating that fewer Fijians are leaving the country for extended durations. This trend could alleviate some pressures on the local labour market.
On the flip side, temporary migration through seasonal worker schemes saw a slight increase of 0.3 percent. Conversely, there was a dramatic downturn in the number of approved work permits, which plummeted by an astonishing 87.2 percent in the year leading up to November.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji noted that these mixed indicators reflect a stabilizing labour market, albeit still grappling with specific sector challenges as the economy continues to adjust to the lasting effects of the pandemic and the uncertainties present in the global landscape.
Despite the difficulties, the increase in formal employment registrations and reduced long-term departures offer a glimmer of hope that the labour market may find its footing in the near future.