{"id":327010,"date":"2026-03-13T03:18:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T03:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/327010\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T03:18:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T03:18:12","slug":"the-outflow-of-new-zealand-citizens-leaving-the-country-continues-to-ease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/327010\/","title":{"rendered":"The outflow of New Zealand citizens leaving the country continues to ease"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

That’s up 17.9% compared to the previous 12 months, but was still well below the long-term average.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In the 12 months to January this year, Statistics NZ estimates 137,463 people arrived in NZ long-term,\u00a0 down 1.4% compared to the previous 12 months.\u00a0Over 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Select chart tabs<\/p>\n

Net long term migration – annual 12-16
\n Net long term migration monthly gain or loss 12-16<\/p>\n

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