Health in Hamilton, New Zealand: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Hamilton was 78.3 years for males and 82.0 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.2 and 83.0 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is the lowest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
How many people smoke in Hamilton?
7.9% of adults in Hamilton were regular cigarette smokers at the 2023 Census, compared with 13.3% in 2018 (New Zealand 2023: 7.7%). That is 4th highest smoking rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people with disabilities live in Hamilton?
6.2% of people in Hamilton were classed as disabled by the census disability indicator in 2023 (New Zealand: 6.0%). That is 5th highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many babies are born in Hamilton each year?
2,697 babies were born and 1,209 people died among residents of Hamilton in the year ended March 2025, according to Stats NZ vital statistics.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many homes in Hamilton are damp or mouldy?
18.8% of occupied homes in Hamilton were reported as always or sometimes damp, and 15.3% had mould larger than an A4 page always or sometimes, at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 18.1% damp). That is 5th damplest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Hamilton compares with other cities in New Zealand
Female life expectancy at birth (2022-2024)
Hamilton ranks 8 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)
Hamilton ranks 4 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Regular smokers among adults |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napier-Hastings | 9.8% |
| 2 | Whangarei District | 9.4% |
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 8.2% |
| 4 | Hamilton | 7.9% |
| 5 | Christchurch | 6.9% |
| 6 | Auckland | 6.6% |
| 7 | Dunedin | 6.2% |
People classed as disabled (2023 Census)
Hamilton ranks 5 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People classed as disabled |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 8 | Wellington | 5.2% |
More on Hamilton: 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: Hamilton City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6a430eff0640…)
- 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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