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Indicator Digest

Unemployment Rate and Employment Change
Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of people that do not have jobs of all the people in the job force. Those people that are discouraged and "are not actively seeking work" are no longer counted. The participation rate tell you what percentage of the work-age population currently has a job.

Main Indicator: Employment Change q/q

Most Recent Release

February
3rd, 2010
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-0.1% -0.1% -0.8% N/A

For 4th Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: HTML PDF

From the Release: "In seasonally adjusted terms, the number of unemployed continued to increase during the December 2009 quarter, reaching 168,000, while the unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent, Statistics New Zealand said today. The unemployment rate is now at its highest level since the June 1999 quarter. The increase in unemployment and the unemployment rate was mainly due to a rise in the number of people entering the labour force but unable to find work.

Employment fell slightly during the quarter with the number of people employed decreasing by 2,000 or 0.1 percent, compared with a 16,000 decline in the previous quarter. Full-time employment drove the latest decrease in employment. Actual hours worked also fell by 0.4 percent consistent with the fall in employment during the December 2009 quarter, and by 3.2 percent since the December 2008 quarter."

Table of Past Data

11/72/65/78/611/52/45/68/511/42/3
Actual-0.3%1.1%-1.3%1.2%0.1%0.9%-1.1%-0.4%-0.8%-0.1%
Forecast0.4%0.3%-0.1%0.1%-0.8%-0.7%-1.0%-0.6%-0.3%-0.1%
Previous0.7%-0.3%0.9%-1.3%1.2%0.1%0.6%-1.3%-0.4%-0.8%
Revised FromN/AN/A1.1%N/AN/AN/A0.9%-1.1%N/AN/A

Secondary Indicator: Unemployment Rate

Most Recent Release

February
3rd, 2010
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
7.3% 6.8% 6.5% N/A

Table of Past Data

11/72/65/78/611/52/45/68/511/42/3
Actual3.5%3.4%3.6%3.9%4.2%4.6%5.0%6.0%6.5%7.3%
Forecast3.6%3.6%3.5%3.8%4.3%4.6%5.3%5.6%6.4%6.8%
Previous3.6%3.5%3.4%3.7%3.9%4.2%4.7%5.0%6.0%6.5%
Revised FromN/AN/AN/A3.6%N/AN/A4.6%N/AN/AN/A

Past Releases

Employment Change q/q
November
4th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-0.8% -0.3% -0.4% N/A

For 3rd Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: HTML PDF

From the Release: "In seasonally adjusted terms, the number of unemployed rose by 12,000 to reach 150,000 people, and the unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent during the September 2009 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. The number of people unemployed is at its highest level since the March 1994 quarter.

“During the past year there have been notable decreases in employment in the manufacturing, retail trade and accommodation, and construction industries, while employment in the health care and social assistance, and public administration and safety industries has increased”, said Peter Gardiner, Manager of Work, Knowledge and Skills at Statistics New Zealand.

Actual hours worked fell by 0.7 percent during the September 2009 quarter, reflecting the 0.8 percent fall in employment. Actual hours worked have fallen by 3.1 percent since the September 2008 quarter."

 

Unemployment Rate
November
4th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
6.5% 6.4% 6.0% N/A
Employment Change q/q
August
5th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-0.4% -0.6% -1.3% -1.1%

For 2nd Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: HTML PDF

From the Release: "In seasonally adjusted terms, the unemployment rate continued to rise, reaching 6.0 percent during the June 2009 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. Both the number of people unemployed and the unemployment rate have been increasing for the past six quarters.

The unemployment rate rose by 1.0 percentage point during the June 2009 quarter, the largest quarterly increase since the September 1988 quarter. During the June 2009 quarter, the number of people unemployed went up by 20.6 percent to reach 138,000. This increase was largely driven by a 15,000 rise in the number of females unemployed. The number of unemployed males also went up, increasing by 8,000 in the latest quarter. During the last 12 months, the number of unemployed rose by 48,000."

 

Unemployment Rate
August
5th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
6.0% 5.6% 5.0% N/A

For 2nd Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Previous Release: PDF

Employment Change q/q
May
6th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-1.1% -1.0% 0.6% 0.9%

For 1st Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: PDF

From the Release: "The March 2009 quarter Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) showed that the labour market has continued to weaken, as both unemployment and the unemployment rate rose for the fifth consecutive quarter. Both employment and labour force participation declined this quarter.

Unemployment increased by 7,000 (6.8 percent) to reach 115,000 over the March 2009 quarter, driven by male unemployment, which increased by 6,000. Over the quarter, the number of people unemployed increased while the size of the labour force decreased, resulting in an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points, to 5.0 percent. The last time the unemployment rate reached 5.0 percent was the March 2003 quarter.

Employment decreased over the March 2009 quarter by 24,000 (1.1 percent), with both full-time and part-time employment decreasing."

Unemployment Rate
May
6th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
5.0% 5.3% 4.7% 4.6%

For 1st Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Previous Release: PDF

Employment Change q/q
February
4th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
0.9% -0.7% 0.1% N/A

For 4th Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: PDF

Unemployment Rate
February
4th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
4.6% 4.6% 4.2% N/A

For 4th Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: HTML PDF

The unemployment rate increased to 4.6% in New Zealand, matching expectations. Though the number of people employed increased by 0.9% for the quarter, the number of people unemployed rose 10.8% as more and more people entered the labor force, pushing up the labor force participation rate. 

From the Release: "In seasonally adjusted terms, the labour market showed further signs of weakening as the unemployment rate continued to increase, Statistics New Zealand said today. The December 2008 quarter saw the number of people unemployed rise by 10,000 and the unemployment rate increase to 4.6 percent. The unemployment rate increased steadily throughout 2008. Over the December 2008 quarter, the unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points to 4.6 percent."

 

 

Employment Change q/q
November
5th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
0.1% -0.8% 1.2% N/A

For 3rd Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: PDF

The number of people employed in New Zealand increased 0.1% on a quarterly basis in the 3rd quarter, but as more people entered the labor force the number of people unemployed rose 6.3%, which brought the unemployment rate up to 4.2%. The increase in employment was better than expected and economists had predicted that the unemployment rate would climb even higher. Still, with the global economy heading for a major contraction, New Zealand exporters will face tougher times. Prices for commodities are also declining, another negative for the New Zealand trade balance.

Unemployment Rate
November
5th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
4.2% 4.3% 3.9% N/A

For 2nd Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Previous Release: PDF

See "Employment Change q/q" above for commentary.

Employment Change q/q
August
6th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
1.2% 0.1% -1.3% N/A

For 2nd Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: PDF

From the Release: "The June 2008 quarter Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) showed employment and unemployment numbers increasing, taking total labour force numbers to the highest level recorded since the survey began.

Employment increased over the quarter by 1.2 percent, following a decrease of 1.3 percent recorded in the March 2008 quarter. Both full-time and part-time employment increased over the quarter, with parttime employment increasing at a greater rate.

The number of unemployed increased over the quarter to be at the highest level since the December 2003 quarter. Over the quarter, the number of people unemployed increased at a greater rate than the number of people in the labour force. This resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points, to 3.9 percent."

Unemployment Rate
August
6th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 3.6%

For 2nd Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: PDF

Employment Change q/q: 1.2%, forecast 0.1%, pr. -1.3% (1Q), 0.9% (4Q)

See "Employment Change q/q" above for commentary.

Employment Change q/q
May
7th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-1.3% -0.1% 0.9% 1.1%

For 1st Quarter (s.a.)
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: Official Release (.pdf)

The labor market loosened in New Zealand during the 1st quarter. Employment decreased by 1.3% quarter-on-quarter, causing the unemployment rate to notch up 0.2% to 3.6%. Seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 29,000 to 2,141,000.

Unemployment Rate
May
7th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
3.6% 3.5% 3.4% N/A

For 1st Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release: Official Release (.pdf)

Employment Change q/q: -1.3%, forecast =0.1%, pr 0.9% (rev from 1.1)

The New Zealand Dollar weakened after the unemployment rate and employment change came in lower than forecast.

Highlights from the Release:

"In the March 2008 quarter:

  • Seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 29,000 to 2,141,000.
  • The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.6 percent.
  • The seasonally adjusted labour force participation rate decreased to 67.7 percent.
  • Seasonally adjusted total actual hours worked per week decreased 1.9 percent. "
Employment Change q/q
February
6th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
1.1% 0.3% -0.3% N/A

For 4th Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release (.pdf)

""Employment increased by 23,000 (1.1 percent) over the December 2007 quarter to 2,173,000. This is the highest level of employment recorded since the survey began.

Over the December 2007 quarter, part-time employment decreased slightly, down 1,000 (0.2 percent) to 489,000 while full-time employment increased by 26,000 (1.6 percent) to 1,686,000. Annually, part-time employment grew by 28,000 (6.1 percent) and full-time employment increased by 25,000 (1.5 percent).

Female employment increased by 26,000 (2.6 percent) over the December 2007 quarter to 1,010,000. Male employment decreased by 3,000 (0.2 percent) to 1,162,000 over the December 2007 quarter.

In the survey (unadjusted) series, there was a significant annual increase in employment in the wholesale and retail trade, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, and property and business services industries.""

Unemployment Rate
February
6th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
3.4% 3.6% 3.5% N/A

For 4th Quarter
Provided by: Statistics New Zealand
Official Release (.pdf)

"The December 2007 quarter Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) recorded a decrease in the
unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points, to 3.4 percent. This is the lowest unemployment rate
recorded since the survey began.

The number of unemployed people decreased over the quarter while the total labour force increased, resulting in a drop in the unemployment rate. Over the quarter the number of people employed and the number of people in the labour force increased to the highest levels ever recorded by the survey. The growth in the labour force was entirely driven by females. The labour force participation rate of 68.8 percent recorded in the December 2007 quarter is the highest rate recorded in the history of the Household Labour Force Survey.

In summary, the December 2007 quarter has seen record-high employment levels, number of people in
the labour force and labour force participation, as well as recording the lowest unemployment rate since
the survey began in March 1986."

Employment Change q/q
November
7th, 2007
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-0.3% 0.4% 0.7% N/A
For 3rd Quarter.

Employment Change y/y: 1.5% (3rd Q), consensus 2.3%, pr. 1.5% (2nd Q)
Unemployment Rate
November
7th, 2007
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
3.5% 3.6% 3.6% N/A
3rd Q.
The September Quarters unemployment rate was the lowest since the measurement method was adopted in 1986. The abundant employment is keeping inflationary pressures down.