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.

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