sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

Population growth from migration now averaging less than 1000 a month

Economy / news
Population growth from migration now averaging less than 1000 a month

The number of New Zealand citizens leaving this country long term continues to decline, although total population growth from migration remains low.

Statistics NZ estimates the number of NZ citizens leaving long term peaked at 7602 in January this year, which was the most in the Stats NZ data series going back to 2001.

Since then, the estimated number of NZ citizens departing long term has declined steadily to 5604 in August, which was the lowest number in any month since November last year.

However, the estimated number of NZ citizens returning after an extended stay overseas has also been in a steady decline this year, from 2435 in in January to 1696 in August.

That means more NZ citizens are departing long term than arriving, but the estimated net loss has declined from 5166 in January to 3908 in August.

However, the loss of NZ citizens was more than made up for by the estimated net gain of 5533 citizens of other countries in August, which meant a total population gain from migration of 1625 in August.

The total increase in population from migration remains low with an average of less than 1000 people a month.

In the 12 months to August this year the estimated net gain was just 10,628, which apart from the pandemic affected years of 2021/22, was the lowest annual net gain for that period since 2013 and was down by 92% compared to the net gain of 127,292 that occurred in the 12 months to August 2023.


 

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

8 Comments

This all equals a massive surplus of Housing, for years.......

NZ no longer the draw card it was 2 years ago.

8 hours waitting at hospital EDs is not a postcard the world likes.

Rents dropping much further is the case.

Spuikuvestors with Zombie investment homes......what could go wrong here???

Up
6

Having spoken to a few overseas friends, the rest of the world isn’t fantastic either. Aussie is probably one of the best places but has house price and crime problems too. 

Up
2

Is Winnie having an influence on the immigration numbers?

Up
0

That's when things are really bad: when Aotearoans can't scrape up the funds to get to Aussie. Western boat people.    

Up
2

The vast majority of Kiwi's are now priced out of all but regional towns in Australia. Over the last 3 years, our housing market has dropped 30%, theirs is up 30% and the exchange rate is nearly another 15% haircut.

In Aussie vernacular, "get that up ya"

 

Up
3

I'd imagine younger Aussies are in the same boat. I've seen back of envelopes that suggest Albo's 5% govt guaranteed loans are little more than a con. 

Up
1

The road to hell is paved with good intention. Investors are buying ahead of the revised scheme so all it will actually deliver is more debt to first home buyers and greater financial vulnerability in the system.

Up
3

The place would be better if we let the population drift down for a few years.  

Up
2