- New Zealand recorded a net loss of 47,100 Kiwis, the largest in a single year.
- Departures of young people aged 18 to 30 made up 38% of migrant exits.
- Net migration gain fell to 27,100, significantly lower than the 128,300 recorded in 2023.
New Zealand’s net migration took a sharp downturn in 2024, with a record number of Kiwis leaving the country. According to new Stats NZ data, the nation experienced a net loss of 47,100 New Zealand citizens, the largest recorded in a single calendar year. In total, 72,000 Kiwis left for long-term overseas stays, with those in their 20s leading the exodus.
Young adults aged 18 to 30 made up 38% of New Zealand citizen departures, with 25-year-olds representing the highest single age group leaving the country. Overall, Kiwi departures exceeded 1,000 for every age group between 18 and 39. More than half of those leaving – around 56% – relocated to Australia.
In total, 127,800 people left New Zealand in the year to November 2024, an increase of 28% from the previous year and the highest on record. At the same time, the number of people arriving in the country fell to 158,400, marking a 32% decline from 2023. This led to a net migration gain of just 30,600, significantly down from the 175,100 gain recorded a year earlier.
Migration data showed that India was the largest source of new arrivals, with 28,500 people moving to New Zealand. This was followed by 25,000 returning New Zealand citizens, along with significant arrivals from China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Fiji, and the UK. Meanwhile, China, India, the UK, Australia, and the US were among the top countries where departing migrants moved.
Despite the sharp drop in net migration, the trend showed signs of stabilising towards the end of the year. In December 2024, New Zealand recorded a net gain of around 3,800 migrants, the highest monthly balance in a year. Experts warned, however, that seasonal factors might have influenced these numbers, as many migrants return home to visit family at that time.
Tourism numbers also saw a boost, with 3.26 million overseas visitors arriving in New Zealand in the year to November, up 360,000 from the previous year. Despite this, the figures remained 16% lower than pre-Covid levels, when annual tourist numbers peaked at around 4 million.
Economists warn that the declining net migration gain could impact New Zealand’s housing market, domestic demand, and labour force. With fewer arrivals and continued high Kiwi departures, the government is considering policy changes to attract skilled migrants and boost tourism as part of broader economic recovery efforts.