Annual number of NZ citizens leaving the country long-term at a three year low in January year

Migration added 23,217 people to New Zealand's population in the 12 months to the end of January this year, according to estimates by Statistics NZ.

That's up 17.9% compared to the previous 12 months, but was still well below the long-term average.

In the 12 month periods from January 2025 to January 2020 (pre-Covid), annual net population growth from migration ranged from 49,105 to 77,266 people a year.

In the 12 months to January this year, Statistics NZ estimates 137,463 people arrived in NZ long-term,  down 1.4% compared to the previous 12 months. Over the same period, 114,246 people left the country long term, down 4.6% compared to the previous 12 months. That gave the net gain of 23,217.

A notable feature of current migration trends is that the substantial outflows of NZ citizens is slowing, while the number of NZ citizens returning after an extended stay overseas is increasing.

In the 12 months to January this year, 63,626 NZ citizens left long-term, the lowest number for that 12 month period in the last three years. And 26,631 NZ citizens arrived back in the country after a long-term absence, which was the highest number for that 12 month period in the last three years.

That gave a net loss of 36,994 NZ citizens for the 12 months to January, also the lowest it has been for that period in the last three years.

What those figures show is that the so-called brain drain of New Zealanders out of the country remains a significant feature of migration patterns but is gradually easing.

Overall population growth from migration appears to be settling at about 2000 people a month, down from more than 6000 a month at the peak, just before pandemic travel restrictions were put in place in 2020.