WELLINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- More young New Zealanders join the labor market and older adults are staying employed longer, according to the statistics department Stats NZ's latest census on Tuesday.
The census shows a significant rise in youth employment, with about 66 percent of New Zealanders aged 15 to 29 employed in 2023, up from 57 percent in 2013, Stats NZ said, adding the biggest increase was among 15 to 19-year-olds, whose employment rose to 45.1 percent from 33.7 percent a decade earlier.
This trend was attributed to a strong post-pandemic labor market, with low unemployment and high demand for workers following COVID-19 border restrictions, said Stats NZ spokesperson Rosemary Goodyear.
Regions with robust seasonal industries, such as Marlborough, Tasman, and Southland, have the highest youth employment rates, thanks largely to opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and viticulture, Goodyear said.
Older New Zealanders are also increasingly likely to remain in the workforce. The proportion of people aged 65 and over who are employed rose from 22 percent in 2013 to 24 percent in 2023, with the largest gains seen in the 70 to 74 age group, statistics show.
Better health, longer life expectancy, and financial pressures are highlighted as key factors behind this trend, with employment among older women rising at a faster pace, Goodyear said. ■
