The total population of New Zealand was 5.29 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by 2.18 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by 300,000 people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Actual value and historical data chart for New Zealand Population Male Percent Of Total

Key information about New Zealand population

• The New Zealand population reached 5.3 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 5.3 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.3 million people in Dec 2024 and a record low of 1.9 million people in Dec 1950

• In the latest reports, New Zealand Unemployment Rate increased to 5.1 % in Dec 2024
• Monthly earnings of the New Zealand population was 3,902.1 USD in Dec 2024
• New Zealand Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 71.0 % in Mar 2025

The total population in New Zealand was estimated at 5.4 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - New Zealand Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

New Zealand Population: South Island (SI) data was reported at 1,242,300.000 Person in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,226,100.000 Person for 2023. New Zealand Population: South Island (SI) data is updated yearly, averaging 1,033,700.000 Person from Jun 1996 (Median) to 2024, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,242,300.000 Person in 2024 and a record low of 921,100.000 Person in 1996. New Zealand Population: South Island (SI) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G005: Population: by Region.

New Zealand Population: North Island (NI) data was reported at 4,044,600.000 Person in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,973,400.000 Person for 2023. New Zealand Population: North Island (NI) data is updated yearly, averaging 3,311,700.000 Person from Jun 1996 (Median) to 2024, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,044,600.000 Person in 2024 and a record low of 2,810,100.000 Person in 1996. New Zealand Population: North Island (NI) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G005: Population: by Region.

Actual value and historical data chart for New Zealand Population Total

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for New Zealand (SPPOP65UPTOZSNZL) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, New Zealand, and population.

New Zealand NZ: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data was reported at 6.818 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.907 % for 2016. New Zealand NZ: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.472 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.662 % in 1983 and a record low of 6.355 % in 1960. New Zealand NZ: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

New Zealand: Female population, percent of total: The latest value from 2024 is 50.31 percent, a decline from 50.33 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 49.99 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1960 to 2024 is 50.48 percent. The minimum value, 49.74 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 51.11 percent was recorded in 2011.

Actual value and historical data chart for New Zealand Population In Largest City

Complete population data for New Zealand showing how many people live in New Zealand from 1960 to 2024

New Zealand NZ: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 7.583 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.713 % for 2016. New Zealand NZ: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.758 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.147 % in 1984 and a record low of 6.458 % in 1960. New Zealand NZ: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

This dataset is the definitive of the annually released meshblock boundaries as at 1 January 2024 as defined by Stats NZ. This version contains 57,539 meshblocks, including 16 with empty or null geometries (non-digitised meshblocks).

Stats NZ maintains an annual meshblock pattern for collecting and producing statistical data. This allows data to be compared over time.

A meshblock is the smallest geographic unit for which statistical data is collected and processed by Stats NZ. A meshblock is a defined geographic area, which can vary in size from part of a city block to a large area of rural land. The optimal size for a meshblock is 30–60 dwellings (containing approximately 60–120 residents).

Each meshblock borders on another to form a network covering all of New Zealand, including coasts and inlets and extending out to the 200-mile economic zone (EEZ) and is digitised to the 12-mile (19.3km) limit. Meshblocks are added together to build up larger geographic areas such as statistical area 1 (SA1), statistical area 2 (SA2), statistical area 3 (SA3), and urban rural (UR). They are also used to define electoral districts, territorial authorities, and regional councils.

Meshblock boundaries generally follow road centrelines, cadastral property boundaries, or topographical features such as rivers. Expanses of water in the form of lakes and inlets are defined separately from land.

Meshblock maintenance

Meshblock boundaries are amended by:

1. Splitting – subdividing a meshblock into two or more meshblocks.
2. Nudging – shifting a boundary to a more appropriate position.

Reasons for meshblock splits and nudges can include:

· to maintain meshblock criteria rules.

· to improve the size balance of meshblocks in areas where there has been population growth

· to maintain alignment to cadastre and other geographic features.

· Stats NZ requests for boundary changes so that statistical geography boundaries can be moved

· external requests for boundary changes so that administrative or electoral boundaries can be moved

· to separate land and water. Mainland, inland water, islands, inlets, and oceanic are defined separately

Meshblock changes are made throughout the year. A major release is made at 1 January each year with ad hoc releases available to users at other times.

While meshblock boundaries are continually under review, 'freezes' on changes to the boundaries are applied periodically. Such 'freezes' are imposed at the time of population censuses and during periods of intense electoral activity, for example, prior and during general and local body elections.

Meshblock numbering

Meshblocks are not named and have seven-digit codes.

When meshblocks are split, each new meshblock is given a new code. The original meshblock codes no longer exist within that version and future versions of the meshblock classification. Meshblock codes do not change when a meshblock boundary is nudged.

Meshblocks that existed prior to 2015 and have not changed are numbered from 0000100 to 3210003. Meshblocks created from 2015 onwards are numbered from 4000000.

Digitised and non-digitised meshblocks

The digital geographic boundaries are defined and maintained by Stats NZ.

Meshblocks cover the land area of New Zealand, the water area to the 12mile limit, the Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, sub-Antarctic islands, offshore oil rigs, and Ross Dependency. The following 16 meshblocks are not held in digitised form.

Meshblock / Location (statistical area 2 name)

• 0016901 / Oceanic Kermadec Islands
• 0016902 / Kermadec Islands
• 1588000 / Oceanic Oil Rig Taranaki
• 3166401 / Oceanic Campbell Island
• 3166402 / Campbell Island
• 3166600 / Oceanic Oil Rig Southland
• 3166710 / Oceanic Auckland Islands
• 3166711 / Auckland Islands
• 3195000 / Ross Dependency
• 3196001 / New Zealand Economic Zone
• 3196002 / Oceanic Bounty Islands
• 3196003 / Bounty Islands
• 3196004 / Oceanic Snares Islands
• 3196005 / Snares Island
• 3196006 / Oceanic Antipodes Islands
• 3196007 / Antipodes Island

​

For more information please refer to the Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023.

High definition version

This high definition (HD) version is the most detailed geometry, suitable for use in GIS for geometric analysis operations and for the computation of areas, centroids and other metrics. The HD version is aligned to the LINZ cadastre.

Digital Data

Digital boundary data became freely available on 1 July 2007.

New Zealand: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2024 is 17.2 percent, an increase from 16.8 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 10.43 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1960 to 2024 is 11.33 percent. The minimum value, 8.32 percent, was reached in 1965 while the maximum of 17.2 percent was recorded in 2024.

The Population data table is part of NZ Suburbs and Localities Dataset. This table contains the population estimate for each suburb and locality, provided by StatsNZ.

NZ Suburbs and Localities is an easy to use layer generated from the normalised NZ Suburbs and Localities Dataset. It describes the spatial extent and name of communities in urban areas (suburbs) and rural areas (localities) for navigation and location purposes.

The suburb and locality boundaries cover New Zealand including North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Islands, and nearby offshore islands.

Each suburb and locality is assigned a name, major name, Territorial Authority and, if appropriate, additional in use names. A population estimate is provided for each suburb and locality by Stats NZ.

For more information please refer to the NZ Suburbs and Localities Guidance documents:

Data Dictionary Change Request Process Change Request Principles, Requirements and Rules Changes to NZ Suburbs and Localities can be requested by emailing addresses@linz.govt.nz

As of June 2024, there were approximately ***** million sheep in New Zealand, a slight decrease from the previous year in which there were around ***** million sheep in the country. The number of sheep in the country has declined over the past decade.  Sheep farming New Zealand was once known for its disproportionate number of sheep per population. However, since the 1970s, the country’s sheep population has fallen drastically. A major factor that has contributed to this decline is sheep farming land lost to other purposes such as urban sprawl, dairy farming, and horticulture farming. The number of lamb livestock has similarly seen a decline. Consumption and exports Sheep in New Zealand are bred for wool and meat, including mutton and lamb. New Zealand is a significant player in the global wool market. The country exports strong wool to leading textile manufacturers around the world. However, along with sheep numbers, wool production has decreased significantly across New Zealand. In terms of domestic meat consumption, the per capita consumption of sheep meat in New Zealand was forecast to decline into the next decade. When looking at trade, the leading country for sheep meat exports from New Zealand was China, with the United Kingdom and the United States trailing behind.

New Zealand Population: Annual data was reported at 5,287,500.000 Person in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,200,000.000 Person for 2023. New Zealand Population: Annual data is updated yearly, averaging 4,241,800.000 Person from Jun 1991 (Median) to 2024, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,287,500.000 Person in 2024 and a record low of 3,495,100.000 Person in 1991. New Zealand Population: Annual data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Stats NZ. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.G001: Population.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Male: From 15 to 64 Years for New Zealand (LFWA64MANZA647S) from 1986 to 2024 about New Zealand, working-age, 15 to 64 years, males, and population.

Actual value and historical data chart for New Zealand Population Ages 65 And Above Percent Of Total