Health in Dunedin, New Zealand: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Dunedin was 79.6 years for males and 82.9 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.8 and 83.6 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is 3rd lowest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
How many people smoke in Dunedin?
6.2% of adults in Dunedin were regular cigarette smokers at the 2023 Census, compared with 11.6% in 2018 (New Zealand 2023: 7.7%). That is 3rd lowest smoking rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people with disabilities live in Dunedin?
7.3% of people in Dunedin were classed as disabled by the census disability indicator in 2023 (New Zealand: 6.0%). That is the highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many babies are born in Dunedin each year?
1,002 babies were born and 1,104 people died among residents of Dunedin in the year ended March 2025, according to Stats NZ vital statistics.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many homes in Dunedin are damp or mouldy?
17.3% of occupied homes in Dunedin were reported as always or sometimes damp, and 11.5% had mould larger than an A4 page always or sometimes, at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 18.1% damp). That is 4th driest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Dunedin compares with other cities in New Zealand
Female life expectancy at birth (2022-2024)
Dunedin ranks 6 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities.
| Rank | City | Female life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Tauranga | 84.5 years |
| 3 | Auckland | 84.3 years |
| 4 | Christchurch | 83.1 years |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 83.1 years |
| 6 | Dunedin | 82.9 years |
| 7 | Whangarei District | 82.4 years |
| 8 | Hamilton | 82.0 years |
Regular smokers among adults (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 7 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Regular smokers among adults |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 8.2% |
| 4 | Hamilton | 7.9% |
| 5 | Christchurch | 6.9% |
| 6 | Auckland | 6.6% |
| 7 | Dunedin | 6.2% |
| 8 | Tauranga | 6.0% |
| 9 | Wellington | 4.2% |
People classed as disabled (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 1 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People classed as disabled |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dunedin | 7.3% |
| 2 | Whangarei District | 7.0% |
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 6.5% |
| 4 | Christchurch | 6.3% |
| 5 | Hamilton | 6.2% |
| 6 | Napier-Hastings | 6.2% |
| 7 | Tauranga | 5.9% |
More on Dunedin: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Dunedin City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 afbcce4c68fc…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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