The Global Survey Index Favours New Zealand for Immigration

As reported by a local newspaper New Zealand is one of the most desired choices of people who wish to immigrate outside their home countries. A global survey by Gallup Shows, the adult population of New Zealand would balloon to more than 11 million if it were to take in all adults who wish to settle there, making it the third most desired place for immigration.

Calculating on the basis of Potential Net Migration Index (PNMI), New Zealand came third. The PNMI is calculated on the number of adults wishing to leave a country permanently subtracted from the estimated number who wish to immigrate to the country, as a proportion of the total population. A higher positive PNMI value means the larger the potential for net population gain proportional to the country's population size. New Zealand posts the third-highest positive PNMI across 135 countries surveyed, with a net migration index value of 175 per cent, behind Singapore's 260 per cent. Canada registered fourth on 170 per cent and Australia had 145 per cent.

Appreciating the research project on immigrants, Paul Spoonley, Professor and Head of the Research Project from Massey University said that the results were interesting and somehow not surprising keeping in mind the global sentiments. He said, "Economic migrants see countries like Singapore as a centre for opportunities, but lifestyle migrants will choose New Zealand for the quality of life, education and peace that it offers. New Zealanders are perceived overseas to be friendly and welcoming, and in the wake of a global terrorism threat, the fact that we rank highly on the peace scale makes it even more attractive to be living here."

As per the Global Peace Index which lists about 140 countries in terms of a variety of factors based on domestic peacefulness and international relations, New Zealand was ranked as the world’s most peaceful country this year. At the bottom end of the Gallup scale, the Democratic Republic of Congo scored minus 60 percent, meaning more than half of its people want to leave the country permanently than settle in it. The poll interviewed about 260,000 people aged 15 and older in 135 countries. The survey found that around 700 million people, or 16 per cent of the world's population, wanted to migrate permanently if they had the chance. Stating to which, the report quoted, “This translates to more than the entire adult population of North and South America combined.” With 165 million saying they would like to move to America permanently if they could, the United States was the most desired destination overall in terms of absolute numbers.

Other destinations include Britain, Canada and France (around 45 million each), Spain (35 million) and Saudi Arabia (30 million). On the other hand, a study released by the Department of Labour, New Zealand states that increasing immigration numbers will boost the economy, reduce production costs, increase goods and services competitiveness and benefit exporters, domestic investment and consumer spending.

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by varsha negi

www.angadinfo.com