The total population in New Zealand was estimated at 5.3 million people in 2025, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. Looking back, in the year of 1960, New Zealand had a population of 2.4 million people. source: Statistics New Zealand

Population in New Zealand is expected to reach 5.38 Million by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Population is projected to trend around 5.42 Million in 2027 and 5.45 Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 2905.00 2892.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Employment Change 0.50 0.20 percent Jun 2026
Employment Rate 66.70 66.70 percent Jun 2026
Full Time Employment 2312.00 2304.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Participation Rate 70.70 70.40 percent Jun 2026
Labour Costs Index 1458.00 1450.00 points Jun 2026
Part Time Employment 590.00 589.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Population 5.34 5.31 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 1391.00 1380.00 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 171.00 164.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.60 5.40 percent Jun 2026
Wages 44.72 44.20 NZD/Hour Jun 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 41.18 40.66 NZD/Hour Jun 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 17.20 17.30 percent Jun 2026


New Zealand Population
The population of New Zealand represents 0.06 percent of the world´s total population which arguably means that one person in every 1585 people on the planet is a resident of New Zealand.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.34 5.31 5.34 2.37 1960 - 2025 Million Yearly