Our take on the latest National population estimates (Mon 16 May 2022)
Total NZ population estimate
5,127,100
As of March 2022
Population growth steady at 0.4%pa
Annual net migration -7,300 in the year ended March 2022
The key numbers...
- New Zealand’s estimated resident population grew 0.4% in the year to March 2022, reaching 5,127,100.
- Annual net migration was negative, with a net outflow of 7,300 people over the year to March 2022.
- Natural increase kept population growth positive, with births exceeding deaths by an estimated 26,500 people in the year to March 2022.
The working age population shrank 0.2% in the March year, with a 3.1% reduction in the number of people in their 20s over the last 12 months as more young people headed overseas.
Brain drain underway
Estimated population, annual % change
...and our reaction
- The brain drain is underway. Young New Zealanders are heading overseas, as the number of people in their 20s fell in March for the eighth consecutive quarter.
- The level of new arrivals is not sufficient to offset departures, with net migration negative for a sixth consecutive quarter, which is dragging down population growth.
- The working age population is falling due to strong migration outflows, with the number of 15- to 64-year-olds shrinking 0.1% over the last year. The young work force is shrinking faster, as the number of 20- to 39-year-olds fell 0.7% over the last year.
- We expect weak net migration to persist throughout 2022 and 2023 as many Kiwis are drawn overseas by a combination of pent-up demand to travel, a lower cost of living, and higher average wages.
- We also expect immigration numbers of foreign citizens to New Zealand to remain low. Immigration NZ cut resources when COVID-19 struck due to limited migration activity, and it may take some time to get back to a pre-pandemic processing capacity.
Latest updates
Premium
National population estimates
Population growth lifted by increasing migration
Mon 18 May 2026
Quarterly
5,361,300 Total NZ population estimate as at March 2026
0.8%pa Population growth in March 2026 quarter24,200 Net migration over the year to March 2026Premium
National population estimates
Population growth steady at 0.6%pa
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Quarterly
5,342,000 Total NZ population estimate as at December 20250.6%pa Population growth in December 2025 quarter
14,200 Net migration over the year to December 2025National population estimates
Population growth steady at 0.6%pa
Mon 17 Nov 2025
Quarterly
5,334,200 Total NZ population estimate as of September 2025
Population grows 0.6%pa in September 2025 quarterNet migration edges up to 12,500 for year ending September 2025National population estimates
Population growth now just 0.7%pa
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Quarterly
5,324,700 Total NZ population estimate as at June 2025
Population grows 0.7%pa in June 2025 quarter
Net migration eases to 13,700 for year ending June 2025