Labour market conditions in Fiji have shown signs of softening towards the end of 2025, according to the latest Economic Review by the Reserve Bank of Fiji. The report highlights a 3 percent decline in job advertisements over the year leading up to November, which indicates a reduction in labour demand across various sectors.
Despite this downturn, the report notes a positive development in formal employment registrations, which rose by 1.5 percent with the Fiji National Provident Fund up to October. This suggests that an increasing number of workers are entering the formal sector, even amid a more challenging hiring landscape.
Additionally, the review points to a significant decrease in long-term resident departures, which fell by 10.1 percent during the same period. This trend implies that fewer Fijians are leaving the country for extended periods, thereby alleviating some of the pressures on the domestic labour pool.
On another note, temporary migration under seasonal worker schemes has seen a slight increase of 0.3 percent. However, it is noteworthy that the number of approved work permits has drastically decreased, dropping by 87.2 percent in the year leading to November.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has characterized these mixed indicators as indicative of a labour market that is stabilizing, though it continues to face sector-specific challenges as the economy navigates post-pandemic adjustments and uncertainties in the global marketplace. Overall, the situation presents a nuanced picture, highlighting both growth in formal employment and challenges that need to be addressed to foster economic resilience moving forward.
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