New Zealand Unemployment Rate
5.2%▼ −6.1 pt
Sep 2025 · Monthly
New Zealand's unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in September 2025, down from 11.3% in March 1990. The reading is the lowest on record in a series that began in January 1987, and well below the all-time high of 12.8% seen in December 1989.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2% | 11.3% | 12.8%Dec 1989 | 5.2%Sep 2025 | 1987 – 2025 | Monthly |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5.3M | 5.3M | 5.3M | 2.4M | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| GDP Growth Rate | 2.1% | 1.9% | 17.8% | -9.3% | Mar 2026 | Quarterly |
About this series
Unemployment Rate in New Zealand reached an all-time high of 12.8% in Dec 1989 and a record low of 5.2% in Sep 2025. The series is reported monthly with history from 1987.
The unemployment rate measures the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. It is reported as a percentage, issued monthly, with data available from January 1987.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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