External Migration December 2003 year
Commentary ...
- Total movements by class
Visitor arrivals increased by 61,000 or 3 percent in the December 2003 year, to reach 2.11 million. Short-term departures by New Zealand residents numbered 1.37 million in 2003, an increase of 80,000 or 6 percent over 2002.
In 2003, permanent and long-term (PLT) arrivals decreased by 3,300, compared with 2002, to reach 92,700. PLT departures were unchanged at 57,800.
- Overseas visitor arrivals
Visitors by source
In the December 2003 year, Oceania continued to be the most important source region for overseas visitor arrivals, followed by Asia, Europe and the Americas. Almost two-fifths of all visitors were from Oceania (799,200), up 68,600 on the December 2002 year. Europe contributed a further one-fifth (453,900) of all visitor arrivals in 2003, and the Americas contributed 266,700 or 13 percent. Visitors from the Americas were up by 2 percent, and Oceania and Europe were each up by 9 percent, compared with 2002.
For more than a decade, Asia has been the second largest source region. Between 1996 and 1998, visitors from the region fell by 161,300 or 33 percent, a result of the Asian financial crisis in late 1997. However, by 2002, this fall had been reversed, with visitors from Asia totalling 544,500, an increase of 10 percent over the 1996 figure. In 2003, there was another decline in visitor numbers from Asia as a result of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus, which affected many countries in this region. Visitor numbers fell by 10 percent compared with 2002, to 489,600.
In 2003, the top eight source countries for visitor arrivals, and their rankings, were unchanged from 2002. The two changes to the 2002 rankings were Singapore, which moved from tenth to ninth position, and Taiwan, which was replaced in the top 10 by the Netherlands. Visitors from the United Kingdom were up 12 percent on 2002 – the largest percentage increase among the top 10 source countries. In contrast, visitors from China were down 14 percent, and visitors from Japan dropped 13 percent. Australia remained the largest contributor, with 702,200 or one-third of all visitors, this was up almost 70,000 or 11 percent on 2002. The United Kingdom (264,800) was the second largest source country, ahead of the United States (211,600), Japan (150,900), Korea (112,700) and China (66,000). These six countries, together with Germany (52,500), Canada (39,900), Singapore (32,600) and the Netherlands (26,400), contributed almost four-fifths (1.66 million) of all visitors in 2003.
Visitor Arrivals from Top 10 Source Countries
December year 1999–2003
December year 1999–2003
Visitors by reason for travel
More than half of all visitors to New Zealand came for a holiday (1,083,700) in the December 2003 year. This was up 9,800 or less than 1 percent on the previous year. A further 572,500 came to visit friends and relatives (VFR) (up 50,000 or 10 percent), 217,600 came on business (up 3,600 or 2 percent), 48,400 came for education/medical reasons (down 4,400 or 8 percent) and 44,300 came for a conference (up 6,500 or 17 percent).
Visitors coming for a holiday made up a steady share of all visitor arrivals over the last five years; 51 percent in both 1999 and 2003. In contrast, the proportion of VFR visitors grew slightly from 26 percent in 1999 to 27 percent in 2003. The proportion of visitors coming for business decreased slightly over the last five years from 12 percent in 1999 to 10 percent in 2003, while conference goers remained between 1 and 2 percent. In 2003, a further 2 percent of visitors came for education/medical reasons.
Visitor Arrivals by Reason for Travel December year 1999–2003 | Visitor Arrivals by Reason for Travel Year ended December 2003 |
Visitors by length of stay
The average intended length of time spent in New Zealand by visitors in 2003 was 22 days, unchanged from 2002. About 50 percent of all visitors stayed for 10 days or less, with the majority of these staying for less than a week. A further 23 percent stayed between 11 and 20 days, 12 percent stayed between 21 and 30 days, and the remaining 15 percent stayed for more than 30 days. On a monthly basis, the average length of stay in 2003 varied by 10 days, with visitors arriving in January staying for the longest time (28 days), and visitors arriving in August staying the shortest time (18 days).
In 2003, visitors coming mainly for education/medical reasons had the longest average intended length of stay at 100 days, five days shorter than in 2002. Many of these visitors were in the younger age groups, with 70 percent younger than 25 years. Conference visitors (nine days) and business visitors (12 days) stayed for the shortest time. The length of stay for both holiday and VFR visitors dropped during the early 1990s. However, since the mid-1990s, the average length of stay for holiday visitors increased steadily, reaching an average of 18 days in 2003. The average length of stay for those visiting friends and relatives fell by one day between 1997 and 1998 to 25 days. It remained at that level until 2001, and then increased back to 26 days in 2002, before dropping to 25 days in 2003.
Average Length of Stay for Visitors December year 1999–2003 | Average Length of Stay for Visitors By country of last permanent residence December year 1999–2003 |
- New Zealand resident departures
Resident departures by main destination
In the December 2003 year, Oceania was the most important region of main destination for New Zealand travellers, followed by Asia, Europe and the Americas. Sixty-three percent of New Zealand resident departures went to countries in Oceania (858,900), with 83 percent of these stating Australia as their main destination. A further 12 percent of departing residents stated Asia (165,600), 8 percent stated Europe (108,900) and 6 percent stated the Americas (83,800). Oceania and Europe both recorded increases in 2003 compared with 2002, while Asia and the Americas recorded decreases. Over the past five years, there were increases in departures to Oceania, Asia and Europe, but a drop of 12 percent in departures to the Americas.
Australia remained the most popular country of main destination for New Zealand residents departing short-term, accounting for 710,400 or 52 percent of all departures in 2003. Since 1999, departures to Australia have increased by 90,400 or 15 percent. The next three most popular destinations in 2003 were Fiji (70,600), the United States (66,200) and the United Kingdom (65,300), each accounting for close to 5 percent of New Zealand travellers. Fiji maintained its position as a more popular destination than the United Kingdom and, for the first time in over 20 years, was a more popular destination than the United States.
In 2003, departures to China increased by 10 percent to 33,000. This was nearly three times the 1999 level (11,500), and represents an average annual rate of increase of 30 percent. Significantly, more than three-quarters of those visiting China in 2003 were born there. Less than 30,000 people departed to each of the next five largest destinations – the Cook Islands (25,200), Samoa (16,100), Thailand (16,000), Japan (15,600), and Hong Kong (15,200). In 2002, Samoa was not one of the top 10 destinations, but in 2003 it became the seventh most popular destination. As a result, Indonesia was no longer one of the top 10 destinations in 2003. Residents departing to the top 10 destinations totalled 1.03 million in 2003, or three-quarters of all resident departures.
New Zealand Resident Departures by Country of Main Destination (excluding Australia) December year 1999–2003 |
Resident departures by reason for travel
Two-fifths of New Zealand residents departing for a short trip overseas in the December 2003 year went on a holiday (595,600); an increase of 9 percent compared with 2002. A further 409,200 left to visit friends and relatives (VFR), 214,000 went on business, 45,100 left for a conference, and 21,300 left for education/medical reasons.
Over the past five years, the proportion of New Zealand residents departing for a holiday gradually fell, from 46 percent of departures in 1999 (542,900) to 43 percent in 2003 (595,600). In contrast, the proportion of VFR departures increased from 28 percent (or 334,400) in 1999 to 30 percent (or 409,200) in 2003. The increase in VFR departures (74,800) may be attributed partly to the increasing numbers of New Zealand residents living overseas, and also the increasing number of overseas-born people living in New Zealand. Between 1999 and 2000, business departures accounted for 20 to 21 percent of all departures, but this fell to 16 percent in the December 2003 year. The number of business travellers dropped by 29,400 or 12 percent over the five-year period (from 243,400 in 1999).
New Zealand Resident Departures by Reason for Travel December year 1999–2003 | New Zealand Resident Departures by Reason for Travel December 2003 year |
In 2003, a holiday was the most popular reason given by New Zealanders travelling to Oceania and the Americas, with 48 percent of departures to Oceania and 39 percent of departures to the Americas stating this reason. Of the departures to Europe, 45 percent went to visit friends and relatives, 33 percent went for a holiday and 13 percent went on business. Departures to Asia consisted of 33 percent going for a holiday, 38 percent VFR and 18 percent travelling on business. Over the past five years, departures of business travellers to the four major regions dropped. Departures of holidaymakers also declined over the same period to all the major regions except Oceania. Departures to the Americas experienced the most significant falls, with 32 percent fewer business travellers and 21 percent fewer holidaymakers.
Resident departures by length of absence
On average, New Zealand residents leaving the country for a short trip in 2003 were away for 21 days, one day less than in 1999. In 2003, one-half of them stayed away for 10 days or less, with 50 percent of those staying away for less than one week. A further 23 percent were absent for 11 to 20 days, 10 percent for 21 to 30 days, and the remaining 16 percent for more than 30 days. Average length of absence in 2003 varied monthly by 11 days, with those departing in November and December staying away for the longest time (26 days each), and those departing in October staying away for the shortest time (15 days).
In 2003, of the main reasons for travelling, residents departing for education/medical purposes had the longest average length of absence (42 days), followed by residents departing to visit friends and relatives (26 days). In contrast, those going for a holiday (18 days) or on business (14 days) were away for less than the average for all departures (21 days). The average length of absence for holiday and VFR departures has fallen by one and three days, respectively since 1999, and has dropped by less than one day for business departures.
Average Length of Absence of New Zealand Resident Departures December year 1999–2003 | Average Length of Absence of New Zealand Resident Departures By country of main destination December year 1999–2003 |
Longer lengths of absence in 2003 were associated with visits to China (55 days) and its special administrative region of Hong Kong (34 days), and our three major long-haul destinations, the United Kingdom (45 days), and Japan and the United States (both 30 days). The shortest average lengths of stay were for trips to our nearest neighbours – Fiji (11 days), and Australia and the Cook Islands (both 13 days). Over the past five years, the average length of stay has dropped for departures to the United Kingdom and Samoa (both down five days) and the Cook Islands (down three days), but increased for trips to China (up five days), and Japan and the United States (both up four days).
- Permanent and long-term migration
Permanent and long-term migration by citizenship
Over the past 10 years, annual net PLT migration increased between 1994 and 1995, dropped each year until 2000, then increased over the years 2001 and 2002, before peaking and gradually declining in 2003. There were net gains between 1994 and 1997 (total net gain of 80,800), net losses between 1998 and 2000 (total net loss of 26,600), and a net gain of 82,800 between 2001 and 2003, resulting in a net gain of 137,000 migrants in the past decade. Analysis of the permanent and long-term arrivals and departures by citizenship shows that, of the four flows involved, two had the major impact on the net migration totals. These were departures of New Zealand citizens and arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens. Arrivals of New Zealand citizens and departures of non-New Zealand citizens have not varied as significantly over the past 10 years.
New Zealand citizen departures (which include overseas-born New Zealanders) increased significantly between 1994 (34,000) and 2000 (58,700), before dropping over the next three years. Departures in 2003 (38,900) were 34 percent lower than in 2000. Combined with the smaller, and generally more stable, arrivals of New Zealand citizens, these changes resulted in a steady and continual increase in the net outflow of New Zealand citizens between 1994 and 2000 (from 10,900 to 37,900). Increases in New Zealand citizen arrivals contributed to the smaller net outflows between 2001 and 2003. The net outflow in 2003 (11,200), was 71 percent lower than in the December 2000 year.
In the case of non-New Zealand citizen arrivals, which are directly influenced by changes in government immigration policies, numbers increased from 41,300 in 1994 to 56,200 in 1996. They dropped in 1997 and 1998, and then increased again over the next four years to 70,500 in 2002, before dropping to 65,000 in 2003. This was 57 percent higher than their level in 1994. Some of this rise was the result of increasing numbers of overseas-born students coming to study in New Zealand. Between 1994 and 1997, non-New Zealand citizen departures increased from 10,500 to 15,700, and then remained at a similar level for the next five years, before increasing to 18,900 in 2003. As a result, the net inflow of non-New Zealand citizens increased between 1994 and 1996 (from 30,700 to 42,700), dipped to 20,700 in 1998, and then more than doubled between 2000 (26,600) and 2002 (54,900), before falling in 2003 (46,100).
In the December 2003 year, there were 3,300 fewer PLT arrivals than in the previous year. The main reason for this decrease was the drop in non-New Zealand citizen arrivals; 5,600 fewer than in 2002.
Permanent and Long-term Migration December year 1994–2003 | Net Permanent and Long-term Migration December year 1994–2003 |
Permanent and long-term migration by occupation
During 1999–2003, 48 percent of immigrants and 40 percent of emigrants were not in the workforce (eg family members and students). In addition, 9 percent of immigrants and 6 percent of emigrants did not specify a valid occupation. A further 11 percent of immigrants and 10 percent of emigrants stated an occupation (eg designer) which was not detailed enough to be coded to a specific occupation classification. This tends to limit the potential value of occupation-based analysis.
In the December 2003 year, there was a net inflow of 10,000 migrants who stated an occupation, compared with a net inflow of 7,600 in 2002. Professionals recorded the largest net inflow of 2,400 in 2003, compared with a net inflow of 1,500 in 2002. There were also net inflows of clerks (1,000), managers (900), technicians (900), trades workers (500) and service and sales workers (300). Two of the remaining major occupational groups experienced net losses of 100 (plant and machinery operators and elementary occupations) and there was a very small net gain for agriculture workers.
Net Permanent and Long-term Migration by Occupation December 2003 year |
During the five years ended December 2003, there was a net outflow from all occupations of 7,900 people. There were net gains from professionals (1,100) and clerks (900), but all other major occupation categories experienced net losses, including service and sales workers (4,700), trades workers (2,800), technicians (2,600) and machine operators (2,500). Within the professionals category there were net inflows of health professionals (800), tertiary teachers (700) and architects and engineers (300). Over the same period, there was a net inflow of 57,300 migrants who were not in the workforce, and a net inflow of 13,100 migrants who did not specify an occupation.
- Tourism and Migration 2002
Tourism and Migration 2002 is a recently released annual update of a number of the tables contained in the Tourism and Migration 2000 reference report. The update contains statistics on a December year basis up to 2002 on a range of topics, but does not include commentary or analysis. Updated tables include overseas visitors, overseas trips by New Zealanders, tourist expenditure, permanent and long-term migration and immigration permits. The Tourism and Migration 2002 report can be found at:http://www.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/prod_serv.nsf/htmldocs/Tourism+and+Migration+2002.
- External migration feature articles
A list of the articles published in the December 2003 year is given below:
2003
September Separate capture of permanent and long-term migrants
November Seven million arrivals and departures
November Tourism and migration 2002
For technical information contact:
Ian Richards or David Lowrie
Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: info@stats.govt.nz