Urbanization Growth in New Zealand from 1990 to 2023

New Zealand's urbanization remained high, starting at 84.7% in 1990 and gradually increasing to 87.0% by 2023. This slower urban growth reflects the country’s balanced approach to urban and rural development. From 1990 through the early 2000s, urbanization growth was stable, largely owing to New Zealand’s natural landscapes and environmental policies, which discouraged excessive urban sprawl. A mild increase in urbanization from 2015 onward reflects the country’s focus on modern infrastructure, which made cities more accessible and livable. The slight increase to 87.0% in 2023 indicates a growing, but controlled, shift towards urban living.

Find out more through related statistics on New Zealand’s sectoral contribution to GDP, New Zealand’s working age population ratio, New Zealand’s population density.