Net Migration Gain Of 14,200

New Zealand had a net migration gain of 14,200 in 2025, down from a net gain of 23,800 in 2024, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ today.

The net migration gain in 2025 was the lowest for a calendar year since 2013 (excluding 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic).

New Zealand had an average net migration gain of 30,600 a year from 2001 to 2025.

"Annual net migration fell from a record 135,500 in the October 2023 year to a provisional low of 8,600 in the August 2025 year, before increasing in late 2025," international migration statistics spokesperson Bryan Downes said.

"The fall in net migration in 2025 compared with 2024 was driven by 6 percent fewer migrant arrivals, while migrant departures rose 1 percent to a provisional record for a calendar year."

The net migration gain of 14,200 in 2025 was made up of 134,000 migrant arrivals and 119,800 migrant departures. This compared with 142,300 migrant arrivals and 118,500 migrant departures in 2024.

Changes in migration are typically due to a combination of factors. These include relative economic and labour market conditions between New Zealand and the rest of the world, and immigration policy in New Zealand and other countries.

Net migration of non-New Zealand citizens near long-term average

There was a net migration gain of 54,200 non-New Zealand citizens in 2025, down from a net gain of 67,500 in 2024.

Annual net migration gains of non-New Zealand citizens averaged 50,600 from 2001 to 2025 and peaked at 176,500 in the October 2023 year.

The lower net migration of non-New Zealand citizens in 2025 compared with 2024 was mainly due to a fall in migrant arrivals.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended December 2025

Net migration loss of New Zealand citizens slows

There was an annual net migration loss of 40,000 New Zealand citizens in 2025.

This compared with a net loss of 43,700 in 2024, and a record net loss of 45,900 in the April 2024 year.

The provisional net loss of 40,000 New Zealand citizens in 2025 was made up of 26,300 migrant arrivals less 66,300 migrant departures.

Based on the latest estimates available, 61 percent of these migrant departures of New Zealand citizens were to Australia. Of those migrating to Australia, 35 percent were born outside New Zealand.

International migration: December 2025 has more information on migration between New Zealand and Australia.

Migrant departures of New Zealand citizens peaked at 72,400 in the February 2012 year.

Migrants aged 18 to 30 years made up 25,500 (38 percent) of the 66,300 migrant departures of New Zealand citizens in 2025. The number of departures in this age group was down slightly from 2023 and 2024, which saw just over 26,000 departures in each year.

Migrants are people changing their country of residence, regardless of their country of citizenship or visa status. A 12-month threshold is used to classify migrants from non-migrants, aligned with international guidelines on measuring migration.

Migration is a key contributor to population change in New Zealand. For provisional population estimates, see:

• National population estimates: At 30 September 2025 (published 17 November 2025)
• Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (published 29 October 2025).

National population estimates: At 31 December 2025 will be published on 16 February 2026.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended December 2025

Diagram shows outcomes-based (provisional) estimates of migration, by citizenship (New Zealand or non-New Zealand) for the year ended December 2025. Overall, net migration is 14,200, made up of a net loss of 40,000 NZ citizens (based on 26,300 migrant arrivals, a 12 percent increase on the year ended December 2024, and 66,300 migrant departures, a 1 percent decrease) and a net gain of 54,200 non-NZ citizens (based on 107,700 migrant arrivals, a 9 percent decrease on the year ended December 2024, and 53,500 migrant departures, a 4 percent increase). Estimates are provisional as of 13 February 2026. Source: Stats NZ.