New Zealand’s working-age population has continued to increase, setting the benchmark for the country’s next official labour market figures and highlighting the ongoing pressures and opportunities facing the economy.
Stats NZ has released its latest Household Labour Force Survey estimated working-age population data for the June 2026 quarter, providing the population estimates that underpin the official employment, unemployment and labour force statistics due to be released in the coming weeks.
The working-age population includes people aged 15 years and over who usually live in New Zealand, excluding those living in institutions. These estimates form the foundation for calculating employment levels, unemployment rates and labour force participation across the country.
The quarterly update reflects ongoing changes in New Zealand’s population driven by births, deaths and migration. Stats NZ uses these estimates to ensure the Household Labour Force Survey continues to provide an accurate picture of the nation’s labour market.
While the release does not include unemployment or employment figures, it provides the population benchmark against which those statistics will be measured when the full Labour Market Statistics are published.
The data will be closely watched by economists, businesses and policymakers as they assess whether New Zealand’s labour market is continuing to soften following a period of rising unemployment and slower economic growth. The next release will provide updated figures on employment, unemployment, labour force participation and underutilisation across the country.
For Māori communities, the labour market figures remain particularly significant. Māori have continued to experience higher rates of unemployment than the national average, making the quarterly labour market data an important indicator of economic wellbeing, workforce participation and opportunities for whānau.
The Household Labour Force Survey remains New Zealand’s official measure of employment and unemployment and is one of the country’s most closely monitored economic indicators, helping shape decisions around investment, training, education and government policy.
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