The launch of Fiji’s National Development Plan (NDP) for 2025-2029 raises hopes for the future, yet it overlooks a critical issue: job creation and emigration. The country is currently grappling with a job crisis, particularly among its youth, and the NDP lacks a comprehensive approach to address this urgent problem. With youth unemployment rates high and an increasing number of citizens leaving for better prospects abroad, the NDP, despite its ambitious language, fails to answer fundamental questions on creating jobs.
The NDP highlights private sector growth and rural development as essential components, but it lacks a clear roadmap for generating sustainable employment. While it advocates for private sector involvement and technological innovation, there are no strong incentives for businesses to invest in local job markets. The persistent poverty rate of 52.6 percent and informal employment level of 34.7 percent in rural areas underscore the absence of strategies for formalizing jobs and ensuring fair wages.
Fiji’s youth, seen as a vital asset, are facing alarming unemployment rates. The NDP does not sufficiently outline a strategy for youth employment, with participation rates below 40 percent and youth unemployment exceeding 15 percent. Promises of skills development and entrepreneurship have been made before, yet there is a noticeable lack of focus on emerging industries. The plan does not articulate a strategy for engaging with sectors experiencing rapid advancements, such as digital technology and green energy.
While efforts to diversify the economy are commendable, it is crucial to recognize that traditional sectors like tourism and agriculture alone cannot accommodate the growing number of young job seekers. Without investments in technology hubs and green industries, Fiji risks falling behind in future industries and risking further emigration as talented individuals seek opportunities abroad.
The issue of emigration has reached unprecedented levels, with over 25,000 Fijians leaving in 2023 alone, primarily for opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. This migration represents about 3 percent of the population, the highest rate since 2005. A significant proportion of those leaving are skilled workers, creating severe talent shortages in key areas such as construction, healthcare, and education. The influx of foreign workers, particularly from Bangladesh, highlights an ongoing labor shortage that Fiji cannot fill domestically.
The NDP does not provide clear solutions to this brain drain. The primary reason for such migration stems from a lack of perceived future in Fiji, compounded by insufficient local job opportunities. The absence of strategies to reverse this trend will likely perpetuate the problem.
Strong governance and institutional stability are critical for the success of any development plan. The NDP mentions good governance but fails to address the systemic issues that hinder progress. Past plans have floundered due to poor execution and lack of effective governance, compounded by corruption and bureaucratic obstacles that deter economic reform.
For the NDP to be successful, it must align ambition with actionable plans that target private sector growth and improve governance. Without necessary changes in these areas, the NDP risks becoming another ambitious plan that fails to deliver substantial results.
The NDP must transform from broad aspirations into concrete solutions that generate meaningful employment. Fiji cannot continue to rely solely on established sectors; there is an urgent need to embrace emerging industries, foster digital innovation, and cultivate an environment conducive to job creation for the youth and repatriating expatriates.
As the nation evaluates the NDP, it is crucial to address three fundamental questions regarding future success. A thriving and diversified economy must emerge, with job opportunities flourishing in high-growth industries rather than solely in tourism and agriculture. The nation must foster strong institutions that inspire confidence and trust in governance, ultimately transforming the lives of youth and vulnerable communities through sustainable jobs and economic independence.
Without immediate action towards these objectives, the NDP may become another document filled with good intentions but lacking tangible impact. The people of Fiji deserve more than promises; they deserve stability, employment, and hope for a future they can believe in.