Urban Population: New Zealand
New Zealand's urban population is currently 83.9% as of 2024. # New Zealand Urban Population New Zealand's urban population reached 83.
Current (2024)
83.9%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2006)
85.9%
Low (1960)
62.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — New Zealand
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — New Zealand
Analysis# New Zealand Urban Population
New Zealand's urban population reached 83.937% in 2024, down slightly from its peak of 85.936% in 2006. Since 1960, when only 62.376% of New Zealanders lived in urban areas, the country has experienced substantial urbanization, with a total increase of 34.6 percentage points over six decades. This dramatic shift reflects the nation's transition from a predominantly rural economy to a modern, service-based society concentrated in major metropolitan centers.
The data reveals a notable reversal after 2006. Following the all-time peak, urban population percentages declined steadily through 2017, falling to 84.17%. Since then, the trend has stabilized, with minor fluctuations between 83.8% and 83.937% from 2018 to 2024. This plateau suggests New Zealand's urban population has reached a natural equilibrium, with minimal further migration from rural to urban areas expected in the near term.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 83.9% | +0.06% |
| 2023 | 83.9% | +0.04% |
| 2022 | 83.9% | +0.03% |
| 2021 | 83.8% | +0.02% |
| 2020 | 83.8% | +0.01% |
| 2019 | 83.8% | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 83.8% | -0.44% |
| 2017 | 84.2% | -0.62% |
| 2016 | 84.7% | -0.54% |
| 2015 | 85.2% | -0.42% |
| 2014 | 85.5% | -0.23% |
| 2013 | 85.7% | -0.08% |
| 2012 | 85.8% | -0.05% |
| 2011 | 85.8% | -0.04% |
| 2010 | 85.9% | -0.04% |
| 2009 | 85.9% | -0.03% |
| 2008 | 85.9% | -0.02% |
| 2007 | 85.9% | -0.01% |
| 2006 | 85.9% | +0.01% |
| 2005 | 85.9% | +0.03% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 85.9% | +0.05% |
| 2003 | 85.9% | +0.06% |
| 2002 | 85.8% | +0.06% |
| 2001 | 85.8% | +0.06% |
| 2000 | 85.7% | +0.06% |
| 1999 | 85.7% | +0.06% |
| 1998 | 85.6% | +0.07% |
| 1997 | 85.5% | +0.08% |
| 1996 | 85.5% | +0.09% |
| 1995 | 85.4% | +0.11% |
| 1994 | 85.3% | +0.12% |
| 1993 | 85.2% | +0.14% |
| 1992 | 85.1% | +0.15% |
| 1991 | 85.0% | +0.20% |
| 1990 | 84.8% | +0.27% |
| 1989 | 84.6% | +0.31% |
| 1988 | 84.3% | +0.29% |
| 1987 | 84.1% | +0.22% |
| 1986 | 83.9% | +0.13% |
| 1985 | 83.8% | +0.09% |
| 1984 | 83.7% | +0.07% |
| 1983 | 83.6% | +0.07% |
| 1982 | 83.6% | +0.09% |
| 1981 | 83.5% | +0.11% |
| 1980 | 83.4% | +0.12% |
| 1979 | 83.3% | +0.14% |
| 1978 | 83.2% | +0.16% |
| 1977 | 83.1% | +0.19% |
| 1976 | 82.9% | +0.21% |
| 1975 | 82.7% | +0.24% |
| 1974 | 82.5% | +0.31% |
| 1973 | 82.3% | +0.41% |
| 1972 | 81.9% | +0.50% |
| 1971 | 81.5% | +1.34% |
| 1970 | 80.4% | +3.25% |
| 1969 | 77.9% | +4.44% |
| 1968 | 74.6% | +4.63% |
| 1967 | 71.3% | +3.59% |
| 1966 | 68.8% | +2.07% |
| 1965 | 67.4% | +1.45% |
| 1964 | 66.5% | +1.22% |
| 1963 | 65.7% | +1.25% |
| 1962 | 64.9% | +1.55% |
| 1961 | 63.9% | +2.40% |
| 1960 | 62.4% | — |
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