New Zealand saw a record number of citizens emigrating in the 12 months to Septemberas the sluggish economy forces more people to seek higher-paying jobs abroad.
According to Statistics New Zealand on Thursday in Wellington, some 72,684 citizens left the country during the period analyzed. 26,318 returning citizens were recorded, resulting in a net exodus of 46,366 people. The arrival of foreign workers registered a net annual increase of 12,434 immigrants, a figure lower than the maximum of 135,529 reached in 2023.
The New Zealand economy did not grow during the first half of the year and economists fear that the recovery expected for the second half has been slow to start, due to the reluctance of companies to hire and the increase in unemployment. Many citizens have chosen to look for work abroad, especially in Australia, while foreign workers are also increasingly reluctant to come to New Zealand when jobs are scarce, resulting in a steady decline in annual net immigration.
The exodus of citizens has become a flashpoint for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who argues that his center-right government manages the economy better than the opposition, but has yet to convince voters. His party is trailing in the latest polls and elections are scheduled for the end of 2026.
Around 58% of all citizen departures were made to Australiathe statistical agency reported today, citing data from the year that ended in March, the most recent available.
