International migration in the July 2024 year increased New Zealand's population by 13 more people for every 1,000 already living here, according to provisional estimates from Stats NZ.
The net migration rate of 13 per 1,000 in the July 2024 year was down from a rate of 26 per 1,000 in the October 2023 year.
"New Zealand's net migration rate is down on last year, but is still relatively high by historical standards," population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.
High net migration rates in 2023 and 2024 mainly reflect the large number of migrant arrivals to New Zealand following the relaxation of COVID-19-related travel and border restrictions, both in New Zealand and overseas, from 2022.
"New Zealand's net migration rate in 2023 was the highest since the late 1870s, when New Zealand's population was under one million," said Islam. "The rate was also high in the early 1900s, early 2000s, and mid-2010s."
International comparisons
New Zealand's net migration rate of 13 per 1,000 in 2024, while down from 2023, remains high by international standards.
Net migration rates are more sensitive to migration fluctuations in countries with smaller populations, such as New Zealand and Ireland.
Other countries have also seen increased net migration rates since 2022. Reasons include the easing of pandemic-related restrictions to international travel and migration, changes to immigration policies, and increased migrant flows linked to international conflicts.
| Year ended June | New Zealand | Australia | Ireland (April-year) | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany (Dec-Year) | United States | Japan |
| 2002 | 14.1 | 5.7 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 0.5 |
| 2003 | 14.3 | 5.9 | 7.7 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| 2004 | 6 | 5 | 7.9 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1 | 3.4 | -0.7 |
| 2005 | 2.7 | 6.2 | 13.3 | 6 | 5.3 | 1 | 3.2 | -0.3 |
| 2006 | 3.2 | 7.2 | 17 | 6.2 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 3.4 | -0.2 |
| 2007 | 3.5 | 11.3 | 23.9 | 5.9 | 4.7 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 0.1 |
| 2008 | 2.8 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 6 | 4.3 | -0.7 | 2.8 | -0.3 |
| 2009 | 3.8 | 14 | 0.4 | 5.9 | 3.3 | -0.2 | 2.8 | -0.7 |
| 2010 | 2.1 | 9 | -6 | 6.8 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | -0.2 |
| 2011 | -2.2 | 8.1 | -6 | 6.3 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 2.8 | -0.9 |
| 2012 | -3.4 | 10.3 | -5.6 | 6 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 3 | -0.4 |
| 2013 | 0.2 | 10 | -4.1 | 6.1 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 3.1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 7.5 | 8.1 | -1.8 | 6.1 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 0.3 |
| 2015 | 11.7 | 7.8 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 13.9 | 3.7 | 0.7 |
| 2016 | 13.9 | 8.6 | 3.4 | 7.5 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 3.8 | 1 |
| 2017 | 12.5 | 10.8 | 8.1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 3.6 | 1.2 |
| 2018 | 10.1 | 9.6 | 9.1 | 7.2 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.2 |
| 2019 | 10.5 | 9.6 | 8.9 | 7.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 1.6 |
| 2020 | 16.8 | 7.6 | 8.9 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 0.5 |
| 2021 | -1.3 | -3.3 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 4 | 1.1 | -0.1 |
| 2022 | -3.5 | 7.9 | 10 | 11.9 | 9 | 17.3 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 21 | 20.4 | 14.7 | 11 | 10.9 | 7.8 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
| 2024 | 13.5 | 14.7 |
