Change countryChange indicator
United States
Japan
Canada
Australia
Malaysia
Singapore
Philippines
Germany
France
Netherlands
Estonia
Ireland
Latvia
Slovenia
Croatia
Czechia
Lithuania
Portugal
Austria
Denmark
Finland
Luxembourg
Norway
Sweden
Spain
Poland
Italy
Belgium
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Chile
Colombia5.6%up 0.2 points from Q1 2026Q2 2026 · released 5 Aug 2026
New Zealand +0.5 ptsLithuania −1.9 ptsover 10 years
Compare with: Lithuania
Key data points
- Last release
- 5 Aug 2026
- Observation period
- Q2 2026
- Next release
- 3 Nov 2026, 21:45 UTC
- Previous
- 5.4% Q1 2026
- Highest
- 11.2% Q3 1991
- Lowest
- 3.2% Q4 2021
- A year ago
- 5.2%
- Data since
- 1986
Indicator info
- Category
- Labour
- Source
- Stats NZ
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- Units
- Percent
The share of the labour force that is out of work and actively looking for a job.
Related indicators
Reports
Released 5 Aug 20265.6%Q2 2026
In 25 days
Next release, 21:45 UTC3 Nov 2026Q3 2026
History
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 5.6% | +0.2 |
| Q1 2026 | 5.4% | 0.0 |
| Q4 2025 | 5.4% | +0.1 |
| Q3 2025 | 5.3% | +0.1 |
| Q2 2025 | 5.2% | 0.0 |
| Q1 2025 | 5.2% | +0.1 |
| Q4 2024 | 5.1% | +0.2 |
| Q3 2024 | 4.9% | +0.2 |
| Q2 2024 | 4.7% | +0.3 |
| Q1 2024 | 4.4% | +0.4 |
| Q4 2023 | 4.0% | +0.1 |
| Q3 2023 | 3.9% | +0.2 |
| Q2 2023 | 3.7% |
Common questions
What is the unemployment rate in New Zealand now?
The unemployment rate in New Zealand was 5.6% in Q2 2026, up 0.2 points from Q1 2026. The figure was released on 5 Aug 2026.
When is the next unemployment rate release for New Zealand?
The next release is scheduled for 3 Nov 2026, 21:45 UTC, covering Q3 2026.
What are the highest and lowest values of the unemployment rate in New Zealand?
In data since 1986, the highest was 11.2% in Q3 1991 and the lowest was 3.2% in Q4 2021.
Where does this data come from?
Published by Stats NZ, and shown here exactly as published. Publishers revise figures, and the latest published figure replaces the earlier one.