External Migration Factsheet – August 2008

External Migration data for August 2008 were released by Statistics New Zealand on 19 September 2008.  Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to permanent & long-term (PLT, i.e. 12 months or more) migration, are not seasonally adjusted, and are rounded to the nearest 100.

Key points

• The net migration inflow for the year to August 2008 was 4,900, down from 5,200 in the July 2008 year.  Despite the fall, it remains above the recent low of 4,600 recorded in the February 2008 year.
• Compared to the year to August 2007, there was a decrease in annual net migration from 8,700 to 4,900.  Following the trend of previous months, this was largely due to more departures of New Zealanders (up 5,800).
• Annual arrivals were 86,700 in August 2008 compared to 83,000 in August 2007, while annual departures were 81,800 up from 74,200 in the year to August 2007. 
• The increase in total departures over the past year was mainly driven by a rise in departures of New Zealanders to Australia to 41,800 in the year to August 2008, up 20% from 34,900 in the year to August 2007.  This resulted in a net outflow of 33,400 New Zealanders to Australia in the year to August 2008, up from 26,600 a year ago.
• The seasonally adjusted net migration inflow for the August 2008 month was 400, down from 800 recorded in the July 2008 month.  The fall was due to an increase in seasonally adjusted departures to a 7-year high of 7,400.
• Net migration inflows are expected to remain moderately positive in the coming year as arrivals of Non-New Zealanders, especially from Asia, look to offset departures to Australia.   

Source: Statistics New Zealand.  Note: figures may not sum due to rounding.