New Zealand Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
New Zealand's unemployment rate was 5.08% in 2025, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's unemployment rate stood at 5.08% in 2025, a rise of +0.30pp from 2024. The IMF projects 5.17% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 90th globally.
New Zealand’s unemployment rate stood at 5.08 % in 2025, placing the country 90th in the world according to World Bank data. Over the 46‑year series beginning in 1980, the rate has oscillated between an all‑time peak of 10.67 % in 1992, a period marked by deep recession and structural adjustment, and a trough of 3.30 % in 2022, when the labour market was buoyed by strong post‑pandemic recovery. The recent figure is virtually identical to those of peers such as Vanuatu (5.07 %) and Malawi (5.07 %), suggesting that New Zealand’s labour market conditions are broadly comparable to other small, open economies. The modest rise from the 2022 low reflects tightening labour supply amid persistent inflationary pressures. If wage growth remains subdued and productivity gains accelerate, the unemployment rate could stabilise near the current level, whereas a resurgence of global shocks would likely push it higher.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 4.40% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 4.38% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 4.52% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 4.48% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 5.09% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.17% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.08% | +0.30pp | #90 |
| 2024 | 4.72% | +0.95pp | #86 |
| 2023 | 3.73% | +0.41pp | #69 |
| 2022 | 3.30% | −0.48pp | #45 |
| 2021 | 3.78% | −0.82pp | #42 |
| 2020 | 4.60% | +0.47pp | #60 |
| 2019 | 4.11% | −0.22pp | #66 |
| 2018 | 4.34% | −0.42pp | #72 |
| 2017 | 4.74% | −0.44pp | #76 |
| 2016 | 5.15% | −0.28pp | #81 |
| 2015 | 5.42% | −0.01pp | #83 |
| 2014 | 5.43% | −0.40pp | #81 |
| 2013 | 5.84% | −0.61pp | #87 |
| 2012 | 6.93% | +0.88pp | #97 |
| 2011 | 6.49% | +0.29pp | #92 |
Analysis
New Zealand's unemployment rate was 5.08% in 2025, a rise of +0.30pp from 2024. IMF projects 5.17% by 2025.
Headlines detailing an "intensifying social crisis" and severe economic hardship in New Zealand's working-class areas, like Hutt South, suggest that the national unemployment rate of 5.08%
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's unemployment rate was 5.08% in 2025. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand's unemployment rate peaked at 10.67% in 1992.
The lowest unemployment rate in New Zealand was 3.30% in 2022.
New Zealand ranks 90th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's unemployment rate is projected to reach 5.17% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of New Zealand in 2025 was 5.08%. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_unemployment-rate,
title = {New Zealand Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}