Monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand
New Zealand: Monthly unemployment levels was 159.8 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand, 1956–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand is 159.8 Persons, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 10.3% on the previous year and up 18.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand peaked at 180.88 Persons in 1992 and was at its lowest, 0 Persons, in 1956.
New Zealand ranks 24th of 32 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 0 Persons | — |
| 1957 | 0 Persons | — |
| 1958 | 1 Persons | — |
| 1959 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 0 Persons | -100.0% |
| 1962 | 1 Persons | — |
| 1963 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 1 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 8 Persons | +700.0% |
| 1969 | 3 Persons | -62.5% |
| 1970 | 1 Persons | -66.7% |
| 1971 | 2 Persons | +100.0% |
| 1972 | 5 Persons | +150.0% |
| 1973 | 2 Persons | -60.0% |
| 1974 | 1 Persons | -50.0% |
| 1975 | 3 Persons | +200.0% |
| 1976 | 4 Persons | +33.3% |
| 1977 | 4 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 21 Persons | +425.0% |
| 1979 | 25 Persons | +19.0% |
| 1980 | 29 Persons | +16.0% |
| 1981 | 47 Persons | +62.1% |
| 1982 | 47 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 76 Persons | +61.7% |
| 1984 | 78 Persons | +2.6% |
| 1985 | 58 Persons | -25.6% |
| 1986 | 70.7 Persons | +21.9% |
| 1987 | 71.42 Persons | +1.0% |
| 1988 | 96.25 Persons | +34.8% |
| 1989 | 120.05 Persons | +24.7% |
| 1990 | 132.93 Persons | +10.7% |
| 1991 | 179.15 Persons | +34.8% |
| 1992 | 180.88 Persons | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 167.82 Persons | -7.2% |
| 1994 | 147.03 Persons | -12.4% |
| 1995 | 116.5 Persons | -20.8% |
| 1996 | 116.95 Persons | +0.4% |
| 1997 | 128.65 Persons | +10.0% |
| 1998 | 145.53 Persons | +13.1% |
| 1999 | 133.62 Persons | -8.2% |
| 2000 | 117.65 Persons | -12.0% |
| 2001 | 106.3 Persons | -9.6% |
| 2002 | 106.28 Persons | -0.0% |
| 2003 | 97.42 Persons | -8.3% |
| 2004 | 84.55 Persons | -13.2% |
| 2005 | 82.53 Persons | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 85.4 Persons | +3.5% |
| 2007 | 81.1 Persons | -5.0% |
| 2008 | 91.53 Persons | +12.9% |
| 2009 | 133.68 Persons | +46.1% |
| 2010 | 142.57 Persons | +6.7% |
| 2011 | 140.32 Persons | -1.6% |
| 2012 | 151.22 Persons | +7.8% |
| 2013 | 137.95 Persons | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 132.55 Persons | -3.9% |
| 2015 | 135.45 Persons | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 134.72 Persons | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 128.62 Persons | -4.5% |
| 2018 | 120.05 Persons | -6.7% |
| 2019 | 115.33 Persons | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 131.15 Persons | +13.7% |
| 2021 | 109.4 Persons | -16.6% |
| 2022 | 96.47 Persons | -11.8% |
| 2023 | 113.62 Persons | +17.8% |
| 2024 | 144.85 Persons | +27.5% |
| 2025 | 159.8 Persons | +10.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.5 Persons | 0 Persons | 1 Persons | 4 |
| 1960s | 1.8 Persons | 0 Persons | 8 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.8 Persons | 1 Persons | 25 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 69.34 Persons | 29 Persons | 120.05 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 144.91 Persons | 116.5 Persons | 180.88 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 98.64 Persons | 81.1 Persons | 133.68 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 133.88 Persons | 115.33 Persons | 151.22 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 125.88 Persons | 96.47 Persons | 159.8 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More work & labour data for New Zealand
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0748 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0721 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0776 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.39 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.4877 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,200 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 511.04 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 2,819 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,994 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,812 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand?
- Monthly unemployment levels in New Zealand was 159.8 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest monthly unemployment levels recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 180.88 Persons in 1992.
- What is the lowest monthly unemployment levels recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 Persons in 1956.
- How does New Zealand rank for monthly unemployment levels?
- New Zealand ranks 24th out of 32 countries with data for 2025.
- Is monthly unemployment levels rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Monthly unemployment levels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 70 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the monthly unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.