National population estimates
Population growth remains at a 33-year low
16 Aug 2022
Our take on the latest National population estimates (Tue 16 Aug 2022)
Total NZ population estimate
5,124,100
As of July 2022
Population growth slows to 0.2%pa
Net migration -11,500 in the year to June 2022
The key numbers...
- New Zealand’s resident population was estimated to be 5,124,100 as of June 2022. The population has grown by 12,700 (0.2%pa) over the past year. The data shows a continued slowdown in population growth from the 2.0%pa average that was maintained in the six years to March 2020 to its slowest rate since 1989.
- Net migration remains in the negatives, with annual net migration at -11,500 in the year ending June 2022. This result represents some improvement from the annual outflow of 13,700 people in the March quarter, but it remains lower than at any other time between 2001 and 2021.
- The 65+ age group has seen an increase of 2.8%pa. Under 15’s are down 0.4%pa, with a decrease in the working age population (15-64) of 0.2%pa. The 25-29-year-old age group is the fastest shrinking, having reduced by 4.0% in the past 12 months.
Retirees booming, workers shrinking
Annual % change, NZ population
...and our reaction
- Migration departures have continued to outweigh arrivals, pulling down overall population growth and revealing an exodus of young working age people leaving the country – many in pursuit of the higher wages and lower cost of living offered overseas.
- Negative growth of the working age population, coupled with a “brain drain” as more young people leave New Zealand, is problematic in our tight labour market, making it difficult for businesses looking for additional workers.
- We expect net migration to remain weak for the next couple of years, from both a low number of immigrant arrivals, and a high number of New Zealand resident departures. Although the borders are now open, the number of arrival work visas issued last quarter was about 20% of pre-pandemic levels (April-June 2021).
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5,342,000 Total NZ population estimate as at December 2025
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Population growth steady at 0.6%pa
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5,334,200 Total NZ population estimate as of September 2025
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5,324,700 Total NZ population estimate as at June 2025
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