Poverty and living standards in Dunedin, New Zealand: official figures
8,919 people in Dunedin were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 3,792 on Jobseeker Support, 1,068 on Sole Parent Support and 3,876 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 67 for every 1,000 residents. That is 2nd lowest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
How has the number of people on benefits in Dunedin changed?
The number of people receiving a main benefit in Dunedin was 8,919 in September 2026, compared with 8,652 in September 2021 (+3%), according to the Ministry of Social Development.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow many people in Dunedin are on Jobseeker Support?
29 in every 1,000 residents of Dunedin were receiving Jobseeker Support in September 2026 (New Zealand: 41). That is the lowest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow deprived is Dunedin?
19.7% of people in Dunedin lived in the two most deprived tenths of areas (deciles 9 and 10) of the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation at the 2023 Census, while 21.6% lived in the two least deprived tenths. That is 4th lowest deprivation of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much rent do people pay in Dunedin?
At the 2023 Census, 7.8% of renting households in Dunedin paid $800 or more a week in rent and 31.9% paid under $300.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Dunedin have no internet at home?
9.2% of people in Dunedin did not have access to the internet at home at the 2023 Census.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Dunedin compares with other cities in New Zealand
People on a main benefit per 1,000 residents (September 2026)
Dunedin ranks 8 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People on a main benefit per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Napier-Hastings | 92 |
| 4 | Lower Hutt | 88 |
| 5 | Christchurch | 77 |
| 6 | Auckland | 75 |
| 7 | Tauranga | 69 |
| 8 | Dunedin | 67 |
| 9 | Wellington | 54 |
People living in the two most deprived deciles (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 6 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People living in the two most deprived deciles |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Napier-Hastings | 25.2% |
| 4 | Auckland | 22.8% |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 21.3% |
| 6 | Dunedin | 19.7% |
| 7 | Christchurch | 15.6% |
| 8 | Tauranga | 9.9% |
| 9 | Wellington | 5.5% |
More on Dunedin: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand): Benefit Fact Sheets: Territorial Authorities (TA) data tables, September 2026, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9e82549b2b86…)
- 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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