What share of people are on a benefit in Otago?

There are about 7.5 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Otago (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 169,400 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is the lowest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

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

12,750 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Otago were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, down 0.5% from 12,819 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)

12,750

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Otago?

In September 2026, Otago had 5,490 people on Jobseeker Support (3.2 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, the lowest of 16 regions), 1,749 on Sole Parent Support and 5,304 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 5,589, 1,818 and 5,298.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Otago?

Māori made up 18.6% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Otago in September 2026 (2,193 of 11,766 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.1%. 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 Otago?

75% of main-benefit recipients in Otago had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (9,591 people), and 17% were aged 18 to 24 (2,184). Women were 51% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Otago compares with other regions

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

Otago ranks 16 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)

Otago ranks 16 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)

Otago ranks 8 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
5	Gisborne	76%
6	Wellington	76%
7	Waikato	76%
8	Otago	75%
9	Northland	75%
10	Nelson	75%
11	Bay of Plenty	74%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Otago: 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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