Economy, jobs and prices in Otago, New Zealand: official figures
The economy of Otago produced NZ$19,269 million of gross domestic product (GDP) in the year ended March 2025, 4.5% of New Zealand's NZ$431,457 million. It is 6th largest of 14 regional economies, counting only regions that Stats NZ reports separately (Stats NZ marks the latest year as provisional).
What is GDP per person in Otago?
GDP per person in Otago was NZ$76,101 in the year ended March 2025, against NZ$81,283 for New Zealand as a whole (below by NZ$5,182). That is 7th lowest of 14 regions reported separately.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Otago growing?
GDP in Otago rose 4.5% in dollar value in the year to March 2025, compared with 3.3% for New Zealand. Over five years since March 2020 it changed by 34.5% (New Zealand 33.4%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat are the biggest industries in Otago?
The three largest industries by GDP in the year to March 2024 (the latest year Stats NZ publishes industry detail) were construction (9.8%); health care and social assistance (7.6%); rental, hiring and real estate services (7.6%). The shares are percentages of total GDP; Stats NZ counts owner-occupied housing as a separate industry, which is not in this list.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow important is farming to the economy of Otago?
Agriculture made up 4.1% of GDP in the year to March 2024 (New Zealand 2.9%), and manufacturing 5.7% (New Zealand 8.3%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow big are health, government and construction in the economy of Otago?
Health care and social assistance made up 7.6% of GDP in the year to March 2024, public administration and safety 2.9% and construction 9.8% (New Zealand: 7.2%, 4.4% and 7.8%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Otago?
The unemployment rate in Otago was 3.6% in the June 2026 quarter, compared with 5.4% for New Zealand and 3.0% in the June 2025 quarter. That is joint lowest of 10 areas that Stats NZ reports separately. These are survey estimates, not seasonally adjusted (as is the national figure used here); the sampling error is about 1.3 percentage points.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat percentage of people are employed in Otago?
Otago had an employment rate of 68.4% in the June 2026 quarter (New Zealand 66.5%; June 2025 73.1%). The employment rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who have a job. That is 3rd highest of 10 areas.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people are employed in Otago?
About 147,200 people in Otago were employed and 5,600 unemployed in the June 2026 quarter, out of a working-age population (aged 15+) of 215,300. Figures are Household Labour Force Survey estimates in thousands, rounded to 100.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Otago?
The labour force participation rate in Otago was 71.0% in the June 2026 quarter (New Zealand 70.4%). Participation is the share of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. That is joint 3rd highest of 10 areas.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the underutilisation rate in Otago?
The underutilisation rate in Otago was 11.4% in the June 2026 quarter (New Zealand 13.4%). It counts people who are unemployed, want more hours, or want work but are not looking, as a share of the extended labour force. That is 2nd lowest of 10 areas.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Otago compares with other regions
GDP, year ended March 2025 (NZ$ million) (2025)
Otago ranks 6 of 14, highest first. Tasman and Nelson are reported together by Stats NZ and are not ranked.
| Rank | Region | GDP, year ended March 2025 (NZ$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Wellington | NZ$51,317m |
| 4 | Waikato | NZ$38,306m |
| 5 | Bay of Plenty | NZ$25,041m |
| 6 | Otago | NZ$19,269m |
| 7 | Manawatū-Whanganui | NZ$17,146m |
| 8 | Hawke's Bay | NZ$12,580m |
| 9 | Northland | NZ$11,645m |
GDP per person, year ended March 2025 (NZ$) (2025)
Otago ranks 8 of 14, highest first. Tasman and Nelson are reported together by Stats NZ and are not ranked.
| Rank | Region | GDP per person, year ended March 2025 (NZ$) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Marlborough | NZ$83,484 |
| 6 | Canterbury | NZ$79,852 |
| 7 | West Coast | NZ$77,650 |
| 8 | Otago | NZ$76,101 |
| 9 | Waikato | NZ$72,330 |
| 10 | Bay of Plenty | NZ$71,343 |
| 11 | Hawke's Bay | NZ$69,966 |
GDP growth, year to March 2025 (dollar value) (2025)
Otago ranks 10 of 14, highest first. Tasman and Nelson are reported together by Stats NZ and are not ranked.
| Rank | Region | GDP growth, year to March 2025 (dollar value) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Manawatū-Whanganui | 5.1% |
| 8 | Gisborne | 4.7% |
| 9 | Hawke's Bay | 4.6% |
| 10 | Otago | 4.5% |
| 11 | Auckland | 2.1% |
| 12 | Marlborough | 1.8% |
| 13 | Taranaki | 0.7% |
Unemployment rate, June 2026 quarter (2026 Q2)
Otago ranks 10 of 10, highest first. Survey estimate for the ten regions reported separately; Gisborne/Hawke's Bay and Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast are reported as combined areas and not ranked.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, June 2026 quarter |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Waikato | 5.5% |
| 5 | Manawatū-Whanganui | 5.3% |
| 6 | Wellington | 4.9% |
| 7 | Southland | 4.7% |
| 8 | Taranaki | 4.6% |
| 9 | Canterbury | 3.6% |
| 10 | Otago | 3.6% |
Employment rate, June 2026 quarter (2026 Q2)
Otago ranks 3 of 10, highest first. Survey estimate for the ten regions reported separately.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, June 2026 quarter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | 71.3% |
| 2 | Canterbury | 69.0% |
| 3 | Otago | 68.4% |
| 4 | Southland | 66.5% |
| 5 | Auckland | 66.4% |
| 6 | Bay of Plenty | 66.3% |
| 7 | Manawatū-Whanganui | 66.0% |
Underutilisation rate, June 2026 quarter (2026 Q2)
Otago ranks 9 of 10, highest first. Survey estimate for the ten regions reported separately.
| Rank | Region | Underutilisation rate, June 2026 quarter |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Taranaki | 13.4% |
| 5 | Bay of Plenty | 13.2% |
| 6 | Manawatū-Whanganui | 13.0% |
| 7 | Wellington | 12.9% |
| 8 | Canterbury | 11.7% |
| 9 | Otago | 11.4% |
| 10 | Southland | 10.4% |
More on Otago: overview · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · New Zealand
Sources
- Stats NZ: Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2025 (GDP by region and industry; GDP per person by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cca1f2f77ec7…)
- Stats NZ: Labour market statistics: June 2026 quarter, Household Labour Force Survey Tables 3 and 6 (by regional council area), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 315f48f981cb…)
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