New Zealand is experiencing a record number of citizens leaving the country, with a significant portion moving to Australia, according to new data.
Stats NZ’s provisional international migration figures reveal that there were approximately 130,600 departures in the year leading up to April—marking the highest annual total on record.
Among those departing on a long-term basis, around 81,200 were New Zealand citizens, representing a 41% increase from the previous year and surpassing the previous record of 72,400 set in 2012.
During the same period, 24,800 New Zealand citizens arrived back in the country, resulting in a net migration loss of 56,500 citizens—exceeding the prior record of 44,400 set in 2012.
New Zealand saw a net migration gain of 98,500, with 154,900 non-New Zealand citizens entering the country. The largest group of migrant arrivals came from India, followed by the Philippines and China.
On Wednesday, Stats NZ also released provisional data regarding migration to Australia, indicating that 53% of New Zealand citizens leaving the country in the year up to September 2023 were headed to Australia.
Recent years have seen many New Zealanders, especially young professionals and graduates, leaving the country due to high living costs and persistent job shortages. For many young New Zealanders, moving overseas after completing their schooling or higher education is also a common practice.
Although Stats NZ does not collect specific reasons for why New Zealanders are leaving, it analyzes trends.
Tehseen Islam, Stats NZ’s population indicators manager, noted, “Historically, changes in migration are typically due to a combination of factors, including the relative economic and labor market conditions between New Zealand and the rest of the world.”
Brad Olsen, principal economist at Infometrics, identified two main factors driving the migration. “Younger Kiwis may be going overseas for an experience or a delayed overseas experience due to disruptions in recent years,” he explained.
However, the fact that half of those leaving are moving to Australia suggests that many are seeking long-term opportunities and making more permanent relocations.
Australian employers have actively sought to recruit New Zealand workers by offering higher wages and better working conditions.
Olsen highlighted that while emigration is a normal trend, it will be challenging to convince people to return if issues like housing affordability and job prospects persist.
This potential ‘brain drain’ could present challenges as New Zealand’s population ages.
Olsen emphasized, “We need to retain as many young people as possible who contribute to the economy, bring innovative thinking, and boost productivity. Losing young talent and failing to attract them back makes these goals significantly harder to achieve.”
