Share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand
New Zealand: Share of population living in rural areas was 23.72 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
23.72
World rank
136th
of 236 countries
All-time high
36.95
in 1950
All-time low
23.72
in 2020
Years of data
15
1950–2020
Share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand is 23.72, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 8.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand peaked at 36.95 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.72, in 2020.
That places New Zealand 136th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 36.95 | — |
| 1955 | 35.29 | -4.5% |
| 1960 | 33.72 | -4.4% |
| 1965 | 32.23 | -4.4% |
| 1970 | 31.49 | -2.3% |
| 1975 | 30.24 | -4.0% |
| 1980 | 29.84 | -1.3% |
| 1985 | 29.59 | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 29.16 | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 27.7 | -5.0% |
| 2000 | 27.01 | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 26.21 | -3.0% |
| 2010 | 25.94 | -1.0% |
| 2015 | 25.58 | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 23.72 | -7.3% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 23.72 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.76, 100% of the median. (85 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 23.72 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 29.5, 80% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 36.12 | 35.29 | 36.95 | 2 |
| 1960s | 32.98 | 32.23 | 33.72 | 2 |
| 1970s | 30.86 | 30.24 | 31.49 | 2 |
| 1980s | 29.71 | 29.59 | 29.84 | 2 |
| 1990s | 28.43 | 27.7 | 29.16 | 2 |
| 2000s | 26.61 | 26.21 | 27.01 | 2 |
| 2010s | 25.76 | 25.58 | 25.94 | 2 |
| 2020s | 23.72 | 23.72 | 23.72 | 1 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 133 Switzerland 23.98 compare
- 134 El Salvador 23.93 compare
- 135 Canada 23.76 compare
- 137 Turkmenistan 23.51 compare
- 138 Turks and Caicos Islands 23.37 compare
- 139 Kazakhstan 23.32 compare
More population data for New Zealand
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0744 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -14.71 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0744 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0739 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,949 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.628 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.191 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.077 (2100)
- Population density 22.07 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 256,010 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand?
- Share of population living in rural areas in New Zealand was 23.72 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 36.95 in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.72 in 2020.
- How does New Zealand rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- New Zealand ranks 136th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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