More than one-third of Fiji’s youth face unemployment, sparking concerns about the implications of the country’s growing dependence on overseas remittances. This reliance is perceived to be discouraging young individuals from seeking local job opportunities, according to Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Fiji National University.
Tagicakiverata emphasized that this trend is emerging as a significant national issue, with many families increasingly reliant on funds sent by relatives living abroad rather than pursuing local employment. He noted that this pattern is adversely impacting productivity and generating a higher demand for foreign workers, which could undermine local job market dynamics.
“Some of our people in the villages and communities are not really being encouraged to go to work because they are enjoying the remittances from their cousins and their aunties overseas. That is a problem that we are facing,” Tagicakiverata remarked.
Youth Minister Jese Saukuru shared similar concerns, highlighting the potential long-term societal risks posed by jobless and disengaged youth. He warned that a lack of proper investment in youth development could lead to dire national consequences, including heightened crime rates and social instability.
“If we underinvest in youth development, we risk creating a lost generation. A generation disconnected from education, from employment, from society. A generation that will not drive our economy forward, but may instead become a burden on our justice system, our health system, and our communities,” Saukuru stated.
These pressing issues were underscored at the National TVET Forum held in Nadi, where various stakeholders convened to discuss strategies for strengthening technical and vocational pathways aimed at facilitating better integration of young people into the workforce. A collective effort to address these challenges is crucial for fostering a more engaged and productive youth population in Fiji, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole.
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