New Zealand’s population of 5.3 million grew by just 0.1% (7,000) in the second quarter of 2024, while the number of those leaving the country was well over 100,000 in the first half of the year, official statistics showed on Monday.
The virtual stagnation of population growth occurs despite record numbers of new arrivals in recent years, largely due to the island state’s reputation for offering high standards of living and working and for being a safe haven in an increasingly turbulent world.
What did the statistics say?
According to Statistics New Zealand, 5,100 more people were born than died in the second quarter, accounting for 72 percent of the total growth.
Net immigration amounted to 2,000 in the quarter, accounting for 28% of total growth.
Nevertheless, in the year to June, more than 130,000 people, both New Zealanders and foreigners, left the country, of which about 45,000 went to neighboring Australia alone.
Statistics released last week showed a provisional net migration loss of 55,300 New Zealand citizens in June 2024.
The increasing exodus is a result of slow economic growth, high living costs and high property prices, which prevent many young New Zealanders from entering the property market.
The loss of New Zealand citizens was offset by the arrival of non-citizens, resulting in a provisional net immigration increase of 128,500 non-New Zealand citizens in June 2024, according to Statistics New Zealand.
This increase was largely due to citizens of India, the Philippines, China and Fiji, the agency said.
