Kiwis Still Flocking to Australia Despite Persistent Economic Gap

The economic gap between Australia and New Zealand has persisted for over 40 years. One in nine New Zealand-born people live in Australia, where they are drawn by higher incomes and cheaper housing.

However, data shows that the flow of Kiwis to Australia is not as simple as it seems. The number of departures has picked up again, with around 48,000 people leaving each year, resulting in a net loss of about 29,000 individuals annually.

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub attributes this trend to the country's economic performance. When Australia's economy is strong, more Kiwis are likely to stay in New Zealand due to family and community ties. Conversely, when their economy slows down, some come back to New Zealand, including those who cannot access their welfare system.