New Zealand Birth Rate
Crude birth rate per 1,000 people SP.DYN.CBRT.IN
New Zealand's birth rate was 10.6 in 2025, ranked 138th globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's birth rate stood at 10.6 in 2025, a decline of +0.3 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.6 by 2025. New Zealand ranked 138th globally.
New Zealand’s birth rate has fallen sharply over the 65‑year series, sliding from an all‑time peak of 26.95 births per 1,000 people in 1961 to a historic trough of 10.61 in 2025, ranking 138th globally. The decline reflects long‑term demographic shifts common to high‑income economies, including later marriage, higher female labour participation and sustained access to contraception. By 2025 the rate is virtually identical to Australia’s 10.62 and only marginally above the United States’ 10.48, underscoring a regional convergence toward low fertility. The early 1960s peak, when the rate was more than double today, coincided with a post‑war baby boom, while the recent trough aligns with the broader “low‑fertility regime” observed across many OECD nations. Unless policies that reduce child‑rearing costs, improve work‑life balance, or encourage immigration are expanded, the downward trajectory is likely to persist, keeping New Zealand’s birth rate among the world’s lowest.
Data & projection
| Year | Birth Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 10.4 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 10.6 | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.6 | −0.3 | #138 |
| 2023 | 10.9 | −0.6 | #74 |
| 2022 | 11.5 | +0.0 | #80 |
| 2021 | 11.5 | +0.2 | #75 |
| 2020 | 11.3 | −0.6 | #68 |
| 2019 | 12.0 | +0.1 | #74 |
| 2018 | 11.8 | −0.5 | #71 |
| 2017 | 12.4 | −0.2 | #73 |
| 2016 | 12.6 | −0.6 | #69 |
| 2015 | 13.2 | +0.6 | #78 |
| 2014 | 12.7 | −0.5 | #63 |
| 2013 | 13.2 | −0.7 | #69 |
| 2012 | 13.9 | −0.1 | #76 |
| 2011 | 14.0 | −0.7 | #73 |
| 2010 | 14.7 | +0.2 | #77 |
Analysis
New Zealand's birth rate was 10.6 in 2025, a decline of −0.3 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 10.6 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's birth rate was 10.6 in 2025. Ranked 138th globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from the previous year.
New Zealand's birth rate peaked at 27.0 in 1961.
The lowest birth rate in New Zealand was 10.6 in 2025.
New Zealand ranks 138th globally in birth rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.CBRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's birth rate is projected to reach 10.6 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The birth rate of New Zealand in 2025 was 10.6. This ranks 138th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_birth-rate,
title = {New Zealand Birth Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/birth-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}