Net loss of migrants continues in New Zealand

Net loss of migrants continues in New Zealand
New Zealand's net migration loss continued in November, when departures exceeded arrivals by fewer than 100 people, the government statistics agency announced Wednesday.

Net losses had been recorded in eight out of the nine months since the February earthquake in Christchurch, which left at least 181 people dead, said a statement from Statistics New Zealand.

About 6,500 Christchurch residents had moved abroad since the earthquake, compared with 4,200 during the same period in 2010.

Since Feb. 22, when the devastating quake struck, 3,700 migrants had moved to Christchurch from overseas compared with 4, 800 during the same period last year.

New Zealand had a net loss of 600 migrants in the November year, the largest net loss since the September 2001 year, when the figure was 1,700, according to Statistics NZ.

In the November 2011 year, there was a net loss of 35,800 people to Australia -- the highest-ever recorded net loss to Australia, exceeding the previous high of 35,400 in the December 2008 year.

Meanwhile, the country saw net gains of migrants from most other countries, led by the United Kingdom (5,800), India (5,100), and China (4,600).

Editor: Fang Yang

English.news.cn   2011-12-21 13:22:17              

WELLINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua)