Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in New Zealand

New Zealand: Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 109,700 Persons in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
109,700 Persons
Change on year
down 16.6%
World rank
36th
of 46 countries
All-time high
151,200 Persons
in 2012
All-time low
81,100 Persons
in 2007
Years of data
27
1995–2021

Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in New Zealand, 1995–2021

050.0k100.0k150.0k1995200820211995: 116.5k Persons1996: 116.9k Persons1997: 128.6k Persons1998: 145.5k Persons1999: 133.6k Persons2000: 117.7k Persons2001: 106.3k Persons2002: 106.3k Persons2003: 97.4k Persons2004: 84.5k Persons2005: 82.5k Persons2006: 85.4k Persons2007: 81.1k Persons2008: 91.5k Persons2009: 133.7k Persons2010: 142.6k Persons2011: 140.3k Persons2012: 151.2k Persons2013: 137.9k Persons2014: 132.5k Persons2015: 135.5k Persons2016: 134.7k Persons2017: 128.6k Persons2018: 120.1k Persons2019: 115.5k Persons2020: 131.5k Persons2021: 109.7k Persons

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.

Analysis

New Zealand recorded 109,700 Persons for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in 2021.

That represents a change of down 16.6% on the previous year and down 21.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in New Zealand peaked at 151,200 Persons in 2012 and was at its lowest, 81,100 Persons, in 2007.

New Zealand ranks 36th of 46 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 27 years of available data.

Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in New Zealand, year by year

Annual values for Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in New Zealand, 1995 to 2021.
Year Persons Change
1995 116,500 Persons
1996 116,900 Persons +0.3%
1997 128,600 Persons +10.0%
1998 145,500 Persons +13.1%
1999 133,600 Persons -8.2%
2000 117,700 Persons -11.9%
2001 106,300 Persons -9.7%
2002 106,300 Persons +0.0%
2003 97,400 Persons -8.4%
2004 84,500 Persons -13.2%
2005 82,500 Persons -2.4%
2006 85,400 Persons +3.5%
2007 81,100 Persons -5.0%
2008 91,500 Persons +12.8%
2009 133,700 Persons +46.1%
2010 142,600 Persons +6.7%
2011 140,300 Persons -1.6%
2012 151,200 Persons +7.8%
2013 137,900 Persons -8.8%
2014 132,500 Persons -3.9%
2015 135,500 Persons +2.3%
2016 134,700 Persons -0.6%
2017 128,600 Persons -4.5%
2018 120,100 Persons -6.6%
2019 115,500 Persons -3.8%
2020 131,500 Persons +13.9%
2021 109,700 Persons -16.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 128,220 Persons 116,500 Persons 145,500 Persons 5
2000s 98,640 Persons 81,100 Persons 133,700 Persons 10
2010s 133,890 Persons 115,500 Persons 151,200 Persons 10
2020s 120,600 Persons 109,700 Persons 131,500 Persons 2

Countries ranked near New Zealand

  1. 33 Czechia 150,500 Persons compare
  2. 34 Ireland 137,200 Persons compare
  3. 35 Norway 136,300 Persons compare
  4. 37 Lithuania 107,800 Persons compare
  5. 38 Bulgaria 106,900 Persons compare
  6. 39 North Macedonia 91,800 Persons compare

See the full ranking of 54 places →

More work & labour data for New Zealand

All data for New Zealand →

Frequently asked questions

What is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in New Zealand?
Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in New Zealand was 109,700 Persons in 2021, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in New Zealand?
The highest recorded value was 151,200 Persons in 2012.
What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in New Zealand?
The lowest recorded value was 81,100 Persons in 2007.
How does New Zealand rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
New Zealand ranks 36th out of 46 countries with data for 2021.
Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in New Zealand?
Over the last ten years it is down 21.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this New Zealand data come from?
The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in New Zealand. Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labour-indicators-levels-regions-unemployment/new-zealand/

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About this data

Indicator
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment
Unit
Persons
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
54 places, 1,325 data points, 1995–2025
Last refreshed

This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3). Data definition and source The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites. Definition of regions Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid (pdf) and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table (xlsx). Cite this dataset OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database http://oe.cd/geostats. Further information OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance For questions and/or comments, please email RegionStat@oecd.org.