New Zealand is experiencing a record wave of emigration, with 73,000 citizens leaving in the 12 months to September 2025, according to Statistics New Zealand. Departures are up 8% on last year, sparking concerns of a growing “brain drain.”
Nearly 40% of those leaving are aged 18 to 30, with the median age at 29, raising fears about the future of New Zealand’s workforce.
Wage Gap Driving Migration
For many, the move is about economics. Max, a 20-something who relocated to northern New South Wales in late 2023, said he earned more as a dishwasher in Australia than as a qualified environmental monitoring technician in New Zealand.
“If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does,” he told triple j hack.
Max added that rising house prices and living costs in New Zealand, without matching wage growth, made the government’s policies “unappealing” to younger generations.
Where Are They Going?
Australia remains the top destination, accounting for almost 60% of departures in the year to March 2025.
Many cite family ties and better opportunities across the Tasman as key reasons for leaving.
Expert View
Despite the exodus, some economists argue there is no cause for alarm, noting that global workforce flows continue to bring skilled migrants into New Zealand, offsetting losses.
Still, the record departures underscore the challenges facing New Zealand’s economy and the pressures on its younger population.
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