Net migration in New Zealand
New Zealand: Net migration was 17,403 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in New Zealand, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in New Zealand is 17,403, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 7.3% on the previous year and down 75.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in New Zealand peaked at 75,512 in 2016 and was at its lowest, -28,783, in 1978.
New Zealand ranks 35th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4,632 | -11,853 | 12,697 | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,156 | -28,783 | 28,261 | 10 |
| 1980s | -6,163 | -17,005 | 11,464 | 10 |
| 1990s | 19,604 | -7,634 | 70,432 | 10 |
| 2000s | 18,067 | -6,604 | 48,195 | 10 |
| 2010s | 43,151 | -2,196 | 75,512 | 10 |
| 2020s | 17,693 | -14,944 | 42,124 | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More financial sector data for New Zealand
- Official exchange rate 1.72 LCU per US$, period average (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 3.9 (2025)
- Net domestic credit 640.25 billion current LCU (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 129.7% (2025)
- Broad money 99.6% (2025)
- Net foreign assets -85.35 billion current LCU (2025)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 129.7% (2025)
- Domestic credit to private sector 143.4% (2025)
- Claims on central government, etc. 11.7% (2025)
- Claims on central government -0.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in New Zealand?
- Net migration in New Zealand was 17,403 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 75,512 in 2016.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was -28,783 in 1978.
- How does New Zealand rank for net migration?
- New Zealand ranks 35th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 75.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.