New Zealand Highest Monthly Net Migration Gain in July 2024

New Zealand experienced its highest monthly net migration gain in five months during July 2024, with a large influx of students contributing to the record. According to Statistics NZ, provisional data reveals that there were 5,900 arrivals on student visas last month, the highest monthly figure since February 2023, when 6,000 students received their visas.

Overall, the estimated number of migrants arriving in New Zealand in July reached 17,453, marking the highest monthly total since February this year. Although these numbers fall short of the peak monthly figures of up to 25,000 seen after the reopening of borders, they remain notably higher than the 11,000-12,000 monthly average recorded throughout most of 2019 before the pandemic.

New Zealand Highest Monthly Net Migration Gain in July 2024

Departures, however, have also increased, with an estimated 12,143 people leaving New Zealand in July. This is a notable rise if we compare it to the 6,000-9,000 monthly range seen in 2019. Since February, outbound migration has consistently been in the 12,000-13,000 range.

These figures are provisional and subject to substantial revisions, with final numbers not being confirmed until 16 months after the event. Stats NZ advises caution, noting that figures become more reliable as they approach finalization.

For the 12 months ending in July, New Zealand’s total net migration stood at 67,201, down from 71,710 in the previous 12-month period. The peak for the 12-month period was 136,745 as of October last year. This period saw 200,803 inbound migrants and 133,601 departing migrants, with the latter representing a provisional record for departures in a 12-month span.

Tehseen Islam, Stats NZ’s population indicators manager, said that while net migration rates are lower than last year, they remain relatively high historically. He attributed this to the substantial number of arrivals following the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions, noting that New Zealand’s migration rate in 2023 was the highest since the late 1870s.

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