The labour force participation rate decreased to 70.4% in the first quarter of 2026, lower than both the previous quarter and market expectations of 70.5%, signaling a modest decline in workforce engagement. source: Statistics New Zealand
Labor Force Participation Rate in New Zealand averaged 67.38 percent from 1986 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 72.40 percent in the second quarter of 2023 and a record low of 63 percent in the first quarter of 1993. This page provides - New Zealand Labor Force Participation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Labor Force Participation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.
Labor Force Participation Rate in New Zealand is expected to be 71.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Labor Force Participation Rate is projected to trend around 71.50 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.