Education in Wellington, New Zealand: official figures
48.6% of adults in Wellington held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 6.8% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is the highest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What percentage of adults in Wellington have a post-school qualification?
65.6% of adults in Wellington had a post-school qualification at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 54.0%). That is the highest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Wellington have no qualifications?
6.8% of adults in Wellington had no formal qualification at the 2023 Census. That is the lowest share with no qualification of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many young people in Wellington are in full-time study?
80.2% of 15 to 19 year olds in Wellington were in full-time study at the 2023 Census, and 32.6% of 20 to 24 year olds (New Zealand: 66.9% and 22.5%). That is 2nd highest study participation of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many young children in Wellington attend school?
93.3% of 5 to 9 year olds in Wellington were in full-time study at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 90.8%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many working-age adults in Wellington have no qualification?
5.0% of 30 to 64 year olds in Wellington had no qualification, compared with 17.8% of people aged 65 and over (2023 Census).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Wellington compares with other cities in New Zealand
Adults with a bachelor degree or higher (2023 Census)
Wellington ranks 1 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults with a bachelor degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | 48.6% |
| 2 | Auckland | 32.9% |
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 29.2% |
| 4 | Christchurch | 29.2% |
| 5 | Dunedin | 29.0% |
| 6 | Hamilton | 29.0% |
| 7 | Tauranga | 24.9% |
Adults with no qualification (2023 Census)
Wellington ranks 9 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults with no qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 15.2% |
| 4 | Tauranga | 14.9% |
| 5 | Hamilton | 14.6% |
| 6 | Christchurch | 14.5% |
| 7 | Dunedin | 13.6% |
| 8 | Auckland | 13.2% |
| 9 | Wellington | 6.8% |
15 to 19 year olds in full-time study (2023 Census)
Wellington ranks 2 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | 15 to 19 year olds in full-time study |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dunedin | 82.7% |
| 2 | Wellington | 80.2% |
| 3 | Christchurch | 72.9% |
| 4 | Auckland | 70.8% |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 65.1% |
| 6 | Hamilton | 64.8% |
| 7 | Tauranga | 63.7% |
More on Wellington: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- 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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