Amidst economic slowdown and fewer job opportunities, a record number of people are leaving New Zealand, Anadolu Agency reports citing official data.

From January to June 2024, 80,200 citizens of New Zealand, 1.5% of the entire population, left the country, said the New Zealand Statistics Department on Tuesday.

“The 138,600 migrant departures in the May 2024 year are, provisionally, the highest on record for an annual period,” says official statistics from last month.

This comes as official statistics show unemployment rising 1% and the employment rate dropping 1.4% yearly.

As economic growth slows amid fewer job opportunities, many young New Zealanders look outside the country for work opportunities.

The 18-30 age bracket represents 38% of all migrators, leaving New Zealand predominantly for Australia and the UK.

“The net migration loss of New Zealand citizens in the June 2024 year was made up of 24,900 migrant arrivals and 80,200 migrant departures. For every migrant arrival of a New Zealand citizen there were just over three migrant departures,” said the official report.

However, total net migration remains positive with 73,200 migrants, when including non-New Zealand citizens.

Immigration is the largest indicator of population growth or decline in New Zealand.