Research backs contribution of immigrants

Jordan R. Gomillion

SOC 202

11/13/2009 2:48 PM

Research has shown that New Zealand’s per capita income has risen because of immigration. The study was conducted by The Department of Labour's International Migration Settlement and Employment Dynamics, also noting that “without immigration, outlook is bleak.” The study showed that without immigration New Zealand’s population would drop by 9.6 percent, and the GDP by 11.3 percent by 2021. But with the current 20,000 annual net flow, annual GDP would be an extra 28 billion by 2021. The government focused on improving services for immigrants, that has been partially the reason why they’ve had such economic gains. Also, they’re not just favoring highly skilled immigrants, also there has been a increased competition of goods and services, not to mention increased consumerism.

I really enjoyed this article, you don’t hear about the good that migrants have economies. Most of the time governments are trying to find ways to prevent migrants from stepping on their soil, but New Zealand embraced them, something that all countries should take not of. One official said that "when an economy grows labour is required at all levels." That goes to show that unskilled migrants can make just as much as a positive impact as highly skilled ones. New Zealand maybe can blaze a trail that countries around the globe could follow. There is always a way you can benefit from immigrants, New Zealand recognized their human rights, as well as widening the opportunities for them. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand why over-crowded countries tend to prevent migrants, but at the same time they have to realize that it’s a trend that is only going to keep growing. That doesn’t mean let in everyone who tries to enter, but you have to do something that benefits their rights as humans, that way their services will lead to benefits for the country.

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/research-backs-contribution-immigrants-114376