Population Growth Trends in New Zealand from 1990 to 2023

New Zealand's population growth rates showed variability over the decades, reflecting shifts in migration policies and economic conditions. The early 1990s saw moderate growth, peaking at 1.6% in 1996, driven by strong immigration flows. However, the late 1990s marked a slowdown, with rates declining to 0.5% by 1999, as the country faced economic challenges.

The early 2000s witnessed a rebound, highlighted by a significant spike of 2.0% in 2003, due to favorable migration policies. Growth remained robust through the 2010s, with peaks like 2.2% in 2016, reflecting sustained immigration and natural increases. A sharp dip in 2021 (0.4%) and 2022 (0.1%) can be attributed to pandemic-related border closures. However, the growth rate bounced back to 2.0% in 2023 as international migration resumed.