External migration factsheet - November 2011 [1]
Published: 21 December 2011
- There was a net annual PLT migration loss of 600 in the year to November 2011.
- There was a seasonally adjusted net outflow of 50 people this month.
- Annual net migration is expected to remain low in the coming months.
Figure 1: Annual net PLT migration
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Figure 2: Monthly net PLT migration
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Annual net migration loss continues…
There were 84,400 arrivals and 85,000 departures over the year to November 2011, resulting in a net loss of 600 people (see Figure 1). Net annual migration flows are likely to remain low over the coming months. However, we expect departures to Australia to ease as New Zealand's economy continues to strengthen and the Australian labour market shows signs of softening.
…driven by rising departures, despite an increase in arrivals
Although PLT arrivals rose by 2.1% over the year to November 2011, PLT departures increased by significantly more (up 19.4%). A total of 58,600 New Zealanders left the country, up from 44,900 a year ago (up 30.5%). Australia remains the most common destination for departing New Zealanders with 44,900 departing for Australia over the year to November 2011, up from 31,300 a year ago (up 43.8%), with an overall record high net loss of 35,800.
Monthly net migration continued its net loss
Seasonally adjusted monthly net migration recorded a net outflow of 50 people in November 2011, improved from a net loss of 600 people last month. This was due to more arrivals (up 6.7%) and fewer departures (down 1.9%). Monthly migration has shown a net loss since March 2011, except for a short-lived net inflow of 100 people in August 2011 (see Figure 2).
Departures from the greater Christchurch area have stabilised
Seasonally adjusted (by the Department of Labour) departures from the greater Christchurch area (Christchurch city, Selwyn District, and Waimakariri District) were 800, a similar level to October. Fewer New Zealanders left and arrivals remained at the similar level to the previous two months (500).
For further information please visit http://dol.govt.nz/research or email research@dol.govt.nz.
[1] Migration data is sourced from Statistics New Zealand. Unless otherwise specified, all data refers to permanent and long-term (PLT, i.e. 12 months or more) migration and is rounded to the nearest 100.
