Population growth relies entirely on non-citizen migration as Kiwis keep leaving

Summarised by Centrist

While overall net migration rose from 9,163 to 20,503, New Zealand is gaining population through international migration while losing more of its own citizens than it attracts back.

According to the latest Stats NZ estimates, the country lost a net 38,249 New Zealand citizens while gaining 58,752 citizens of other countries, leaving an overall net migration gain of 20,503.

Writing for interest.co.nz, Greg Ninness reports that the number of New Zealand citizens leaving long-term “held steady, year-on-year, at just under 65,000”.

The 64,822 departures were 64% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while just 26,574 New Zealand citizens returned.

Ninness notes that the number returning “remains low by historical standards”, having fallen almost a third over the past decade.

The annual net loss of New Zealand citizens is now approximately 14 times what it was a decade ago, rising from roughly 2,700 to 38,249.

That loss was more than offset by immigration, with the largest net gains by citizenship coming from India (11,732), China (11,604) and the Philippines (8,205).

Read more at interest.co.nz

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