New Zealand experienced its lowest net population gain from migration in 12 years last year excluding the Covid-19 hit 2021, according to Statistics NZ.
The estimated net 2025 population gain from migration was 14,173, down 40% compared to 2024. That’s the lowest in a calendar year since 2013, apart from 2021 when pandemic restrictions were in place.
Last year’s net population gain was also down 89.5% from the record annual high of 135,500 for the 12 months to October 2023.
Statistics NZ estimates 133,986 people arrived in NZ long-term last year, while 119,814 departed long-term, giving the net gain of 14,173.
Since 2019 (pre-pandemic) the number of people arriving long-term has decreased 19.2%, while the number of long-term departures has increased 28.6%.
There were 26,276 NZ citizens that arrived back in the country after an extended stay overseas last year (19.6% of total arrivals), while 66,309 NZ citizens departed long-term (55.3% of long term departures).
That gave a net loss of 40,033 NZ citizens in 2025.
Although the number of NZ citizens leaving the country long-term remained high at 66,309 last year, it was down from 67,2214 in 2024, suggesting the outflow of New Zealanders to other countries may have passed its peak in the current cycle.
The loss of NZ citizens last year was offset by a net gain of 54,205 citizens of other countries, down by 19.7% compared to 2024.
The biggest source countries for non-NZ citizens arriving long-term were India 17,286, China including Hong Kong 15,923, Philippines 10,391, Sri Lanka 5572, Australia 4691, UK 4782 and USA 4094.
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Net long term migration – annual 12-16
Net long term migration monthly gain or loss 12-16