Migration last five years

The latest monthly migration stats confirm the trend of the last five years. Graphed above are the annual migration figures for:

1. Permanent and Long-Term Departures from NZ
2. Permanent and Long-Term Departures from NZ of NZ Citizens
3. Net Permanent and Long-Term Departures from NZ of NZ Citizen (departures less those returninh home)

I have not included a graph for Net Permanent and Long-Term Departures from NZ as inwards migration iof non citizens is determined by Government policy and can be adjusted to any level desired as first world countries always have massive immigration supply available.

Overall PLT departures have reached 81,788 – a record high since the current data series began in 1985. This is equal to 1,569 departures a week or 224 a day.

If one excludes non citizens, then PLT departures are at 59,132 which is 1,134 a week or 162 a day.

Now if one takes into account the number of NZ citizens returning home, then the net PLT departures of citizens is 35,859. Five years ago it was only 10,000.

So in annual terms, what cities are equal to our population loss:

1. The net PLT loss of citizens annually is equal to losing Gisborne every year
2. The gross PLT loss of citizens annually is equal to losing Nelson every year
3. The gross PLT loss of residents annually is equal to losing Palmerston North every year

And what has been the total population loss of the last five years:

1. The net PLT loss of citizens over the last five years is equal to losing Dunedin
2. The gross PLT loss of citizens over the last five years is equal to losing Hamilton & Palmerston North.
3. The gross PLT loss of residents over the last five years is equal to almost losing Christchurch.

Inwards migration of new New Zealanders (which is a great thing) helps keep the overall population stable, but that does not mean there isn’t a serious problem with the numbers leaving.