A sociologist isn't worried about net migration inching closer to zero

New Stats NZ data shows there was an annual net migration gain of around 32-thousand in the year to January, down on December.

Migrant departures also rose 18 percent to almost 123-thousand in that time, the highest on record for an annual period.

But Massey University's Paul Spoonley says we don't know about the skills of those departing.

He says we also need to ask if we're also seeing unskilled and semi-skilled workers leaving, and therefore exporting part of our unemployment rate.