New Zealand

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New Zealand
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In New Zealand, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 44.2% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 39.1% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 16.7% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 82% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 58.3% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • In upper secondary education, 71.9% complete their education within the theoretical programme duration (OECD average : 76.2%), while 80.1% of new entrants complete a general or vocational programme within two years after the end of the theoritical programme (OECD average : 84.9%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4.4% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.9% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, New Zealand allocated an average of 10.4% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.7% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 20548 equivalent USD for tertiary education in New Zealand (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 10762 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 3.4% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 10.1% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 15.2% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 15.1% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • In New Zealand, annual typical teaching hours were 855 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 813 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • Women represent 96.9% of pre-primary teaching staff in New Zealand (OECD average : 95.9%) and 67.5% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
  • In New Zealand, there are 91.8% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools (OECD average : 90.9%). However, 6% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary education left the profession through retirement or resignation in 2025 (OECD average : 6.4%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: New Zealand | Ministry of Education | Education Counts | Statistics New Zealand |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    New Zealand has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-olds whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (6.6 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (36.2 %, rank 6/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (6.4 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    New Zealand has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old men whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (5.8 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    New Zealand has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old women whose highest education level is a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree. (7.3 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    In New Zealand,the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics ans statistics is relatively small. (42.8 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively small. (55.9 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand,the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively small. (60.9 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in education in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (69.7 %, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (40.9 %, rank 15/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (68.1 %, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (70.5 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (56.5 %, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (52.9 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (59.4 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (21 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (58.9 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (54.9 %, rank 28/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in New Zealand is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (69.6 %, rank 21/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (58 %, rank 15/16 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    Enrolment in early childhood education (ISCED 0) among 3- to 5-year-olds placed New Zealand among the lowest across countries. (58.3 %, rank 35/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in independent private tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.2 %, rank 31/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at all early childhood education level is comparatively high. (99.1 %, rank 2/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively high. (99 %, rank 2/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in programmes giving full level completion without access to tertiary education is relatively small compared to other OECD or partner contries. (56.9 %, rank 11/15 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Students enrolled in programmes providing full completion and access to tertiary education among all students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary vocational programmes are proportionally less in New Zealand than in the other countries. (42.9 %, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in early childhood education in New Zealand is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (30.8 %, rank 9/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary general programmes in New Zealand is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (52.3 %, rank 4/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary vocational programmes in New Zealand is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.1 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of five-year-olds in ECEC in New Zealand is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.4 %, rank 39/44 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (30.7 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The percentage of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at upper secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14 %, rank 32/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at post-secondary non-tertiary level is comparatively small. (87.2 %, rank 23/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (50.2 %, rank 35/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (58 %, rank 2/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, New Zealand has one of the largest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (61.4 %, rank 7/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates among post-secondary non-tertiary graduates from vocational programmes in New Zealand is relatively low. (42.7 %, rank 23/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    In New Zealand, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (73.1 %, rank 16/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.2 %, rank 18/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (71.9 %, rank 19/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (0.9 %, rank 26/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (71 %, rank 5/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (80.1 %, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (2.9 %, rank 24/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (77.2 %, rank 2/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In New Zealand, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low. (10 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of services is comparatively small. (2.5 %, rank 23/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of new entrants in arts and humanities master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.3 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the percentage of new entrants in business, administration and law bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.5 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of new entrants in engineering, manufacturing and construction bachelor's programmes is relatively low in New Zealand among countries with available data. (8.6 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of new entrants in services bachelor's programmes is especially low, compared to the other countries with other data. (1.2 %, rank 30/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the percentage of new entrants in Services master's programmes is comparatively low among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.5 %, rank 28/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of new entrants in health and welfare master's programmes is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (10.2 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    New Zealand has a large share of international students graduate from tertiary programmes compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (17.8 %, rank 4/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    New Zealand has one of the largest proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.6 %, rank 8/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of international and foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (46.2 %, rank 3/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (17.5 %, rank 4/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international graduates among first-time master's graduates is relatively high. (50.6 %, rank 4/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (51.3 %, rank 3/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.4 %, rank 9/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (45.7 %, rank 4/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.3 %, rank 7/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    In New Zealand, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among all international or foreign students is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (34.6 %, rank 10/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In New Zealand, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the highest across countries with available data. (64 %, rank 10/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 45-64 participating in non-formal education or training was among the largest in New Zealand compared with other countries with available data. (63.9 %, rank 4/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in New Zealand was among the highest across countries with available data. (64 %, rank 4/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in New Zealand was among the highest across countries with available data. (24.9 %, rank 3/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (31.1 %, rank 22/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the lowest in New Zealand compared with other countries with available data. (13.1 %, rank 24/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary vocational education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10326 USD Equivalent, rank 22/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In New Zealand, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP at primary to tertiary levels of education is comparatively high. (4.7 %, rank 9/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (5.3 %, rank 10/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, expenditure on secondary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.3 %, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (1.1 %, rank 6/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high in New Zealand. (4.4 %, rank 10/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The proportion of private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is comparatively high in New Zealand. (0.9 %, rank 6/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (44.8 %, rank 7/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    New Zealand has one of the largest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (21.7 %, rank 7/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, international expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of total expenditure on tertiary education is relatively low. (0 %, rank 28/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, international expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of total expenditure on primary to tertiary education is relatively low. (0 %, rank 29/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively small in New Zealand. (55.2 %, rank 29/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively small. (78.3 %, rank 29/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In New Zealand, the share of current expenditure on primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (83.2 %, rank 36/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of current expenditure on all levels below tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85.2 %, rank 35/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.1 %, rank 3/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85.9 %, rank 33/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of current expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (86.2 %, rank 35/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of current expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (87.9 %, rank 19/23 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in New Zealand. (855 Hours, rank 8/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year lower secondary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in New Zealand. (813 Hours, rank 9/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year upper secondary teachers spend teaching general programmes in public institutions is comparatively high in New Zealand. (752 Hours, rank 10/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (54.3 %, rank 4/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the share of tertiary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (44.9 %, rank 32/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the percentage of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in upper secondary vocational education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.9 %, rank 30/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in post secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in New Zealand, compared to other countries with available data. (42.2 %, rank 20/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    The ratio of primary teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.87 Ratio, rank 3/18 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.86 Ratio, rank 4/18 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of upper secondary teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.9 Ratio, rank 6/19 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    It takes lower secondary teachers less time to progress through the salary scale in New Zealand compared to other OECD and partner countries. (8 Years, rank 34/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    In New Zealand, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old lower secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (121996 USD Equivalent, rank 10/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old upper-secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (138780 USD Equivalent, rank 10/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    The gap in job satisfaction between teachers and other similarly educated employed adults aged 16-65 is especially wide in favor of teachers in New Zealand. (6.5 % points, rank 5/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of pupils per teacher in pre-primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.7 Ratio, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level is especially high. (17.3 Ratio, rank 7/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in New Zealand. (10.6 Ratio, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in New Zealand. (10.6 Ratio, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the number of students per teacher in independent private institutions tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (11.2 Ratio, rank 22/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the number of students per teacher in independent private short-cycle tertiary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (11.2 Ratio, rank 9/11 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the ratio of children to teaching staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.7 Ratio, rank 19/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (68 %, rank 5/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high. (82.8 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (78.9 %, rank 7/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old men without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (73.1 %, rank 10/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (62.5 %, rank 4/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (6 %, rank 30/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.5 %, rank 17/20 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a short cycle tertiary education degree is relatively low in New Zealand. (3.9 %, rank 19/24 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively low in New Zealand. (3.3 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    In New Zealand, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (7.8 %, rank 20/25 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (9.2 %, rank 26/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (15.1 %, rank 33/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 55-64 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is low in New Zealand. (31.6 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 55-64 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low in New Zealand. (18.5 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In New Zealand, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (9.2 %, rank 31/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (8 %, rank 27/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (136 Index, rank 23/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a master's, doctoral or equivalent education degree are comparatively low. (153.1 %, rank 22/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively high in New Zealand. (93.9 %, rank 2/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (100 Index, rank 17/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (108 Index, rank 20/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (110 Index, rank 19/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (104 Index, rank 17/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (106 Index, rank 20/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (99 Index, rank 20/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (125 Index, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (149 Index, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (125 Index, rank 17/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (145 Index, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in New Zealand. (151 Index, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In New Zealand, the relative earnings for 25-34 year-old workers with master's or doctoral or equivalent degree are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment (130 Index, rank 19/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in New Zealand, the proportion earning between 0.5 and 1 times the median is comparatively low. (35 Index, rank 25/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education and those with upper secondary education is quite marginal. (135 Index, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds without an upper secondary education with income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (85.2 %, rank 5/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (74.6 %, rank 15/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (76.4 %, rank 15/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of men with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in New Zealand is relatively low. (4.6 %, rank 29/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old women neither employed nor in education or training is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (16.3 %, rank 9/37 , 2025) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - New Zealand
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for New Zealand
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			
            Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.