New Zealand is facing an accelerated outflow of population abroad: in the year ending in June 2025, the country left 71.8 thousand citizens, which was the maximum for 13 years, the media reported citing official data from Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ). The main directions of relocation are Australia and Great Britain. The outflow is accompanied by a weakening economy and rising unemployment to 5.2% in the second quarter, notes Reuters.
At the same time, total net migration growth (arrivals minus departures, including foreigners) in June 2025 was only +13.7 thousand people – against +70.4 thousand a year earlier, follows from a fresh release of Stats NZ. That is, the migration “shoulder” of demographic support has shrunk fivefold.
Industry analysts estimate that in the 12 months to June 2025, ~138.9 thousand people arrived in the country for the long term, and left ~125.2 thousand, which gave a moderate balance of +13.7 thousand. For comparison: a year earlier the inflow exceeded +70 thousand, and the monthly contribution of migration to the population fell from ~6 thousand to ~1 thousand people.
Experts attribute the increased “outflow” of citizens to a combination of factors: weak GDP growth, cooling of the labour market, as well as improved employment opportunities abroad (primarily in Australia). The age structure of those leaving the country is dominated by young professionals under 30, which increases the risk of “brain drain”.
The authorities, according to media reports, expect to stabilise the situation by easing monetary conditions and fine-tuning migration adjustments, but the coming quarters are estimated to be influenced by a high outbound flow of residents while foreign arrivals will decline from record levels in 2023-2024.
According to Stats NZ, New Zealand’s population was estimated at 5.33 million as of 31 March 2025; future dynamics will largely depend on migration flows.