What share of people are on a benefit in Canterbury?

There are about 10.0 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Canterbury (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 454,700 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 3rd lowest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

Poverty and living standards in Canterbury, New Zealand: official figures

45,243 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Canterbury were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, down 0.5% from 45,450 a year earlier. The Ministry of Social Development counts Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and other main benefits.

People on a main benefit (Sep 2026)

45,243

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Canterbury?

In September 2026, Canterbury had 20,436 people on Jobseeker Support (4.5 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 2nd lowest of 16 regions), 7,371 on Sole Parent Support and 17,016 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 21,186, 7,503 and 16,347.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Canterbury?

Māori made up 23.1% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Canterbury in September 2026 (9,603 of 41,514 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.7%. Ministry of Social Development tables count people by their recorded ethnic groups, and people can be counted in more than one.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How long do people stay on a benefit in Canterbury?

77% of main-benefit recipients in Canterbury had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (35,046 people), and 16% were aged 18 to 24 (7,068). Women were 54% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Canterbury compares with other regions

Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Canterbury ranks 14 of 16, highest first. Recipients are aged 18-64 (MSD, September 2026); residents aged 15-64 are from Stats NZ June 2025 provisional estimates.

Rank	Region	Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
10	Auckland	10.9
11	Southland	10.8
12	Wellington	10.4
13	Marlborough	10.2
14	Canterbury	10.0
15	Tasman	9.6
16	Otago	7.5

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Canterbury ranks 15 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
10	Nelson	5.8
11	Wellington	5.6
12	Marlborough	5.3
13	Tasman	5.0
14	Southland	4.9
15	Canterbury	4.5
16	Otago	3.2

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Canterbury ranks 3 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
1	Manawatū-Whanganui	78%
2	Taranaki	78%
3	Canterbury	77%
4	West Coast	77%
5	Gisborne	76%
6	Wellington	76%
7	Waikato	76%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Canterbury: overview · economy and jobs · health · government budget · New Zealand

Sources

Ministry of Social Development: Quarterly Benefit Fact Sheets: Regional Council tables, September 2026 (working-age recipients of main benefits), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b2108068006a…)

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