Strong annual rise in net population gain from migration in July year
New Zealand's net migration figures show a significant increase in the year to July, with a net gain of 20,350 people. While non-citizen arrivals remain high, the number of New Zealand citizens leaving the country has begun to decline.
Why it matters
Migration trends are a key indicator of economic health and demographic shifts in New Zealand.
Population growth from migration more than doubled in the 12 months to July compared to the previous July year.
The latest figures from Statistics NZ show a net population gain, being long-term arrivals minus long-term departures, of 20,350 people in the year to July, up from 9592 in the 12 months to July 2025.
The figures show 134,434 people arrived in New Zealand long-term in the 12 months to July this year, while 114,084 departed long term, giving the net gain of 20,350.
Of the 134,434 July year long-term arrivals, 26,631 were NZ citizens returning after a long-term absence and 107,803 were non-NZ citizens. Partially offsetting that, 64,966 NZ citizens left the country long-term along with 49,118 non-NZ citizens.
That gave a net loss of 38,335 NZ citizens in the 12 months to July, and a net gain of 58,685 non-NZ citizens.
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