In 2020, Oceania was home to nearly 8.3 million international migrants, primarily from Asia and Europe. Over the last three decades, the region has seen an increase in Asian-born migrants, while the number of European migrants has remained stable. Compared to other global regions, Oceania has the smallest migrant population living outside its territory, mainly residing in Europe and Northern America, reflecting its smaller overall population size.
Australia and New Zealand are the primary destinations for migrants within Oceania, holding high percentages of foreign-born populations, about 30% and 29% respectively. Other countries in the region, like Samoa and Fiji, have large numbers of emigrants relative to their populations, with most of their diaspora located in Australia and New Zealand. These migration patterns create distinct profiles for each country within Oceania, categorizing them as either major sources or destinations of migration.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oceania implemented strict international travel controls and internal movement restrictions. By April 2020, nearly all countries in the region had adopted some level of international travel restrictions, which, unlike other regions, remained stringent for an extended period. Internal restrictions, although reduced over time, persisted in some countries, reflecting a cautious approach to managing the pandemic’s spread compared to the quicker relaxation of such measures seen in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
During the pandemic, Oceania’s approach to travel and health-related measures evolved, initially focusing on travel restrictions before gradually increasing health measures. By mid-2020, travel restrictions were widespread across the region, but as time progressed, health measures, especially those targeting international travelers, began to outpace travel restrictions. Notably, Oceania, along with Asia, prioritized travel restrictions over health measures deeper into the pandemic, a strategy distinct from other regions.
In terms of economic impacts, the pandemic led to a drop in remittance flows to Oceania, with Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji being the primary recipients. Remittances declined by about 15% in 2020, affecting both large economies and smaller island nations reliant on these funds. Australia, while being the largest recipient of remittances in Oceania, also emerged as the region’s main source of remittances, despite a decrease in outflows compared to the previous year.
Oceania also played a role in providing refuge to over 150,000 refugees and asylum seekers in 2020, with Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand being the largest host countries. The refugees originated from diverse countries, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Lastly, the region faced significant internal displacements due to disasters, notably from Cyclone Harold in Vanuatu and bushfires in Australia, emphasizing Oceania’s vulnerability to natural disasters and their profound impact on displacement within the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought economic challenges to Oceania, particularly affecting labor mobility and key sectors like tourism, hospitality, and trade. These challenges stem from various public health measures implemented by governments to control the virus’s spread, including travel restrictions, border closures, and quarantine mandates. Such measures have particularly impacted migrants working in crucial industries, leaving those from Pacific Islands who participate in seasonal worker programs in Australia and New Zealand in difficult positions. Many were unable to commence their employment as planned, and those already abroad faced uncertainties regarding their continued employment or the possibility of returning home. The tourism and hospitality sector, vital for the Pacific Islands’ economies, notably Fiji, has faced severe downturns, threatening to reduce GDP substantially.
Seasonal labor migration is a key aspect of emigration from Pacific island countries to Australia and New Zealand, supported by programs like the Seasonal Workers Program, Pacific Labour Scheme, and Recognized Seasonal Employer scheme. These programs, which have seen rapid growth, especially in Australia, primarily recruit migrants for agricultural and horticultural roles. The departure of a portion of the population from countries like Vanuatu and Tonga for these opportunities has implications for local economies, social systems, and gender equality, as the majority of participants are male, leaving women to manage households and miss out on economic opportunities.
Environmental challenges and natural disasters also influence mobility and displacement in Oceania. The region is prone to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones, with recent examples including the Australian bushfires and Cyclone Harold in Vanuatu, leading to massive displacements. These events highlight the vulnerability of the region to natural hazards and the complex decisions individuals and communities face regarding migration in response to environmental changes.
Asylum seekers and refugees constitute an important demographic within Oceania, with Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand being the primary host countries. Despite Australia’s commitment to resettling refugees under its Humanitarian Program, COVID-19 travel restrictions have led to a reduction in the number of places and delays in processing and resettling refugees. The pandemic has resulted in thousands of individuals with granted humanitarian visas being unable to enter Australia, underscoring the impact of travel restrictions on refugee resettlement efforts in the region.
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