Another migration record

Stats NZ have released their monthly migration statistics. They note:

• 500 more PLT departures in September 2008 compared with September 2007
• In the year ended September 2008, there were 82,300 PLT departures, up 7,600 (10 percent). (an all time record)
• Net PLT migration was 4,400 in the September 2008 year, down from 8,300 in the September 2007 year. The latest figure is the lowest since the October 2001 year (1,700).
• A net inflow of 40,800 non-New Zealand citizens and a net outflow of 36,400 New Zealand citizens were recorded in the year ended September 2008.
• Compared with the September 2007 year there were 5,900 more PLT departures of New Zealand citizens and 1,700 more PLT departures of non-New Zealand citizens.
• The net PLT outflow to Australia was 33,900 in the September 2008 year, compared with 26,200 in the September 2007 year. This is higher than previous peaks in the January 1989 year (33,700) and the December 1979 year (33,400).

The above is all from the Stats NZ commentary. Now let’s look at some data over time.

This shows that the number of permament and long-term departures is at an all time high. As a percentage of the population it is not yet at the peak but has climbed from 14 per 1,000 to almost 20 per 1,000.

That is quite high. Over a generation (30 years) that is 600 out of 1,000 people who would have left – and most won’t return.

If we look at just the last five years – since the current trend began, we see a few things:

• PLT departures up from 55,000 to over 82.000 in five years – a 49% increase
• PLT departures of NZ citizens up from 38,000 to almost 60,000 – a 57% increase
• Net PLT departures of NZ citizens up from 10,000 to around 36,000 – a 254% increase

I don’t show the net PLT figures for all travellers as the rate of inbound migration of non citizens is decided by Government policy and can be set as high or low as the Government wants.