Standard of living

The data in this indicator is no longer being updated.

Stats NZ is developing well-being indicators, Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand - Ngā Tūtohu Aotearoa, to track New Zealand’s progress. As the well-being indicators have similar aims to the NZ Progress Indicators and NZ Social Indicators, we are reviewing the future of these existing indicators.

Please contact us at info@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions.

Why is this important for social statistics?

Standard of living is important to measure because it evaluates the physical circumstances in which people live, the goods and services they can buy, and the economic resources they can access.

Measurements of standard of living include the average level of resources in New Zealand and the distribution of those resources across New Zealand society.

Disposable income per person

The total value of goods and services available to New Zealanders. Also known as real gross national disposable income per person.
Real household consumption expenditure
New Zealand households’ spending, in inflation-adjusted dollars, per person.
Housing affordability
The proportion of households spending more than 30 percent of their disposable income on housing.
Income inequality
Ratio showing the level of inequality between high-income and low-income households.
Overall life satisfaction
A measure of how satisfied the population aged 15 years and over are with their lives overall.
Population with low incomes
The proportion of the population in households with income below 60 percent of the median income (after housing costs).