What share of people are on a benefit in Marlborough?

There are about 10.2 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Marlborough (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 30,100 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 4th lowest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

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

3,069 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Marlborough were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 3.2% from 2,973 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)

3,069

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Marlborough?

In September 2026, Marlborough had 1,584 people on Jobseeker Support (5.3 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 5th lowest of 16 regions), 549 on Sole Parent Support and 918 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 1,536, 537 and 870.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Marlborough?

Māori made up 30.7% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Marlborough in September 2026 (873 of 2,847 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.0%. 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 Marlborough?

74% of main-benefit recipients in Marlborough had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (2,259 people), and 13% were aged 18 to 24 (408). Women were 53% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Marlborough compares with other regions

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

Marlborough ranks 13 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)

Marlborough ranks 12 of 16, highest first.

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

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Marlborough ranks 15 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
10	Nelson	75%
11	Bay of Plenty	74%
12	Tasman	74%
13	Hawke's Bay	74%
14	Southland	74%
15	Marlborough	74%
16	Auckland	73%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Marlborough: 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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