New Zealand: economy and key statistics
New Zealand is number 53 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $264.1 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $49,591. The economy grew by 0.5% in 2025. Unemployment is 5.1%. The economy is 68% services, 19% industry, 4% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 34 R&D labs, 6 startups, 1 investors.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
New Zealand is number 45 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 45.7 out of 100: economic 63, technology 33, military 32 and human capital 58.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $264.1 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $305.4 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $49,591 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +0.5% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.8% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 5.1% | 2025 |
| Population | 5.3 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 3.1 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 68% | 2023 |
| Industry share of GDP | 19% | 2023 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 8% | 2023 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 4% | 2023 |
| Exports share of GDP | 25% | 2024 |
| Foreign direct investment | 1.4% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 13% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 1.55% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 94% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Startups in New Zealand
Investors in New Zealand
Main export industries
New Zealand exported goods worth about $42.8bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Dairy produce: $12.4bn (29.0% of goods exports)
- Meat and edible meat offal: $5.2bn (12.1% of goods exports)
- Fruit and nuts, edible: $2.9bn (6.7% of goods exports)
- Wood and articles of wood: $2.9bn (6.7% of goods exports)
- Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk: $1.6bn (3.8% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Oceania
- Australia (#15)
- Papua New Guinea (#111)
- Fiji (#162)
- Solomon Islands (#185)
- Vanuatu (#188)
- Samoa (#189)
- Tonga (#194)
- Micronesia (#195)
- Kiribati (#196)
- Palau (#197)
- Marshall Islands (#198)
- Naoero (#199)
- Tuvalu (#200)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of New Zealand?
New Zealand had a GDP of $264.1 billion in 2025, ranking number 53 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in New Zealand?
GDP per person in New Zealand was $49,591 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of New Zealand growing?
The economy of New Zealand grew by 0.5% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.