NZ inNumbersMenu
NZ inNumbers

New Zealand vs Australia, UK and Canada

Updated

How New Zealand compares with Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore on prices, incomes, housing and health, using OECD statistics. Each comparison uses the latest year all countries shown have. Singapore appears only in price levels, through 2021.

Is New Zealand more expensive than Australia?

New Zealand was cheaper than Australia in 2025

Price levels at market exchange rates, relative to the United States. These are comparable baskets, rather than house price index levels. In 2025, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have. Singapore's data ends in 2021, so it is not in the comparison.

In 2025, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have. Singapore's data ends in 2021, so it is not in the comparison.

Cost of living compared: price levels in NZ and other countries
New ZealandAustraliaUnited KingdomCanadaSingapore
Cost of living compared: price levels in NZ and other countries. New Zealand, 2000 to 2025, latest 79.4. Australia, 2000 to 2025, latest 92.6. United Kingdom, 2000 to 2025, latest 89.2. Canada, 2000 to 2025, latest 85.3. Singapore, 2017 to 2021, latest 74.4.050100150200200020052010201520202025
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (index)Australia (index)United Kingdom (index)Canada (index)Singapore (index)
202579.492.689.285.3No data
202481.692.784.386.0No data
202382.091.480.886.7No data
202284.398.082.090.1No data
202198.0109.598.094.874.4
202089.3102.990.991.373.2
201992.3106.093.594.774.3
201899.9112.9100.795.176.4
2017100.2114.596.595.275.4
201699.2108.3101.592.6No data
2015102.4111.5116.4101.0No data
2014120.0134.5124.9115.2No data
2013118.7142.8117.3123.8No data
2012119.1157.5117.3127.7No data
2011116.7155.3119.9128.5No data
2010106.2138.4114.8122.5No data
200992.1117.3117.1111.2No data
2008100.8122.6133.7116.6No data
2007106.6119.3144.2113.7No data
200694.5106.6130.6108.5No data
Full data: price levels international
Country comparison in 2025
CountryValue (index) in 2025
New Zealand79.4
Australia92.6
Canada85.3
SingaporeNo data for 2025; latest year 2021
United Kingdom89.2
New Zealand: 79.4 (2025)Australia: 92.6 (2025)United Kingdom: 89.2 (2025)Canada: 85.3 (2025)Singapore: 74.4 (2021)
2025New Zealand 79.4Australia 92.6United Kingdom 89.2Canada 85.3Singapore Not available
Cost of living compared: price levels in NZ and other countries. New Zealand: 79.4 in 2025. Australia: 92.6 in 2025. United Kingdom: 89.2 in 2025. Canada: 85.3 in 2025. Singapore: 74.4 in 2021.
  • New Zealand: 79.4 index (2025)
  • Australia: 92.6 index (2025)
  • United Kingdom: 89.2 index (2025)
  • Canada: 85.3 index (2025)

Source: OECD; NZ in Numbers calculation. Singapore ends in 2021. Definitions, limits and downloads.

Australia's economy produces 21% more per person than ours in 2025

Constant PPP US dollars per person. The headline compares the latest common year, 2025. In 2025, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have.

In 2025, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have.

GDP per person: NZ and other countries
New ZealandAustraliaUnited KingdomCanada
GDP per person: NZ and other countries. New Zealand, 1991 to 2025, latest US$47,887 PPP. Australia, 1990 to 2025, latest US$57,844 PPP. United Kingdom, 1995 to 2025, latest US$54,991 PPP. Canada, 1990 to 2025, latest US$52,211 PPP.020,00040,00060,0001990199620022008201420202025
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (US$ PPP)Australia (US$ PPP)United Kingdom (US$ PPP)Canada (US$ PPP)
2025US$47,887 PPPUS$57,844 PPPUS$54,991 PPPUS$52,211 PPP
2024US$47,857 PPPUS$57,572 PPPUS$54,521 PPPUS$51,864 PPP
2023US$48,810 PPPUS$58,049 PPPUS$54,393 PPPUS$52,327 PPP
2022US$48,804 PPPUS$58,259 PPPUS$54,831 PPPUS$52,728 PPP
2021US$47,332 PPPUS$56,780 PPPUS$52,764 PPPUS$51,218 PPP
2020US$44,964 PPPUS$54,021 PPPUS$48,853 PPPUS$48,630 PPP
2019US$46,178 PPPUS$55,716 PPPUS$54,431 PPPUS$51,814 PPP
2018US$45,411 PPPUS$55,468 PPPUS$53,925 PPPUS$51,593 PPP
2017US$44,431 PPPUS$54,765 PPPUS$53,319 PPPUS$50,925 PPP
2016US$43,626 PPPUS$54,329 PPPUS$51,893 PPPUS$50,031 PPP
2015US$42,819 PPPUS$53,751 PPPUS$51,147 PPPUS$50,039 PPP
2014US$42,005 PPPUS$53,304 PPPUS$50,428 PPPUS$50,119 PPP
2013US$41,386 PPPUS$52,771 PPPUS$49,227 PPPUS$49,215 PPP
2012US$40,892 PPPUS$52,517 PPPUS$48,633 PPPUS$48,608 PPP
2011US$40,049 PPPUS$51,377 PPPUS$48,170 PPPUS$48,278 PPP
2010US$39,706 PPPUS$50,775 PPPUS$48,052 PPPUS$47,277 PPP
2009US$39,324 PPPUS$50,301 PPPUS$47,280 PPPUS$46,375 PPP
2008US$39,545 PPPUS$50,303 PPPUS$49,878 PPPUS$48,318 PPP
2007US$39,999 PPPUS$50,075 PPPUS$50,267 PPPUS$48,353 PPP
2006US$38,903 PPPUS$48,847 PPPUS$49,199 PPPUS$47,846 PPP
Full data: gdp per capita international
Country comparison in 2025
CountryValue (US$ PPP) in 2025
New ZealandUS$47,887 PPP
AustraliaUS$57,844 PPP
CanadaUS$52,211 PPP
United KingdomUS$54,991 PPP
2025New Zealand US$47,887 PPPAustralia US$57,844 PPPUnited Kingdom US$54,991 PPPCanada US$52,211 PPP
GDP per person: NZ and other countries. New Zealand: US$47,887 PPP in 2025. Australia: US$57,844 PPP in 2025. United Kingdom: US$54,991 PPP in 2025. Canada: US$52,211 PPP in 2025.
  • New Zealand: US$47,887 PPP (2025)
  • Australia: US$57,844 PPP (2025)
  • United Kingdom: US$54,991 PPP (2025)
  • Canada: US$52,211 PPP (2025)

Source: OECD. Definitions, limits and downloads.

Household income per person, adjusted for living costs

Household income after tax per person, adjusted for living costs. This average from national accounts includes transfers in kind. The survey median is secondary. In 2023, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have.

New ZealandAustraliaUnited KingdomCanada
New Zealand2023US$43,348 PPP
Australia2023US$54,235 PPP
United Kingdom2023US$47,400 PPP
Canada2023US$45,237 PPP
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (US$ PPP)Australia (US$ PPP)United Kingdom (US$ PPP)Canada (US$ PPP)
2023US$43,348 PPPUS$54,235 PPPUS$47,400 PPPUS$45,237 PPP
2022US$40,987 PPPUS$51,330 PPPUS$43,430 PPPUS$43,726 PPP
2021US$36,868 PPPUS$48,462 PPPUS$38,980 PPPUS$41,652 PPP
2020US$35,175 PPPUS$44,011 PPPUS$37,497 PPPUS$38,994 PPP
2019US$32,500 PPPUS$41,042 PPPUS$35,501 PPPUS$35,604 PPP
2018US$29,925 PPPUS$39,737 PPPUS$33,243 PPPUS$35,331 PPP
2017US$29,145 PPPUS$39,000 PPPUS$32,319 PPPUS$34,554 PPP
2016US$27,718 PPPUS$39,116 PPPUS$31,560 PPPUS$33,593 PPP
2015US$25,891 PPPUS$37,737 PPPUS$30,776 PPPUS$31,938 PPP
2014US$25,390 PPPUS$36,990 PPPUS$29,620 PPPUS$31,383 PPP
2013US$25,216 PPPUS$36,209 PPPUS$29,127 PPPUS$30,678 PPP
2012US$24,255 PPPUS$34,079 PPPUS$28,608 PPPUS$29,746 PPP
2011US$23,767 PPPUS$34,057 PPPUS$27,504 PPPUS$29,114 PPP
2010US$22,620 PPPUS$32,708 PPPUS$27,492 PPPUS$28,472 PPP
2009US$21,939 PPPUS$30,875 PPPUS$26,802 PPPUS$27,326 PPP
2008US$21,633 PPPUS$31,142 PPPUS$27,045 PPPUS$27,381 PPP
2007US$21,005 PPPUS$29,605 PPPUS$26,420 PPPUS$26,588 PPP
2006US$19,447 PPPUS$27,749 PPPUS$25,629 PPPUS$25,244 PPP
2005US$17,924 PPPUS$26,621 PPPUS$24,434 PPPUS$24,239 PPP
2004US$17,706 PPPUS$26,294 PPPUS$24,722 PPPUS$23,445 PPP
Full data: household income per person international
Country comparison in 2023
CountryValue (US$ PPP) in 2023
New ZealandUS$43,348 PPP
AustraliaUS$54,235 PPP
CanadaUS$45,237 PPP
United KingdomUS$47,400 PPP

2023. Bars start at zero.

New Zealand: US$43,348 PPP
Household income per person, adjusted for living costs. New Zealand: US$43,348 PPP in 2023. Australia: US$54,235 PPP in 2023. United Kingdom: US$47,400 PPP in 2023. Canada: US$45,237 PPP in 2023.
  • New Zealand: US$43,348 PPP (2023)
  • Australia: US$54,235 PPP (2023)
  • United Kingdom: US$47,400 PPP (2023)
  • Canada: US$45,237 PPP (2023)

Source: OECD. Definitions, limits and downloads.

Typical household income in the survey

The survey median measures the middle household, adjusted for household size and living costs. In 2020, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have. New Zealand's newer value is 42,501.32 (2022; usd ppp).

New ZealandAustraliaUnited KingdomCanada
New Zealand2020US$36,347 PPP
Australia2020US$37,385 PPP
United Kingdom2020US$27,991 PPP
Canada2020US$41,560 PPP
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (US$ PPP)Australia (US$ PPP)United Kingdom (US$ PPP)Canada (US$ PPP)
2020US$36,347 PPPUS$37,385 PPPUS$27,991 PPPUS$41,560 PPP
2019US$33,575 PPPNo dataUS$27,374 PPPUS$38,008 PPP
2018US$32,112 PPPUS$34,371 PPPUS$25,081 PPPUS$37,382 PPP
2017US$31,238 PPPNo dataUS$24,948 PPPUS$36,194 PPP
2016US$29,234 PPPUS$33,742 PPPUS$23,983 PPPUS$35,068 PPP
2015US$27,679 PPPNo dataUS$23,112 PPPUS$32,770 PPP
2014US$27,008 PPPUS$32,525 PPPUS$22,737 PPPUS$32,633 PPP
2013US$25,845 PPPNo dataUS$22,113 PPPUS$31,473 PPP
2012US$25,270 PPPUS$30,010 PPPUS$21,710 PPPUS$30,994 PPP
2011US$23,699 PPPNo dataUS$21,062 PPPUS$30,048 PPP
2010US$22,654 PPPNo dataUS$20,727 PPPUS$29,113 PPP
2009US$22,315 PPPNo dataUS$19,911 PPPUS$28,290 PPP
2008US$22,512 PPPNo dataUS$20,520 PPPUS$28,632 PPP
2007US$20,910 PPPNo dataUS$20,054 PPPUS$27,667 PPP
2006US$19,637 PPPNo dataUS$19,475 PPPUS$26,053 PPP
2005No dataNo dataUS$18,637 PPPUS$25,507 PPP
2004No dataNo dataUS$18,976 PPPUS$24,440 PPP
2003No dataNo dataUS$17,881 PPPUS$23,376 PPP
2002No dataNo dataUS$17,928 PPPUS$22,843 PPP
2001No dataNo dataNo dataUS$22,330 PPP
Full data: household income ppp international
Country comparison in 2020
CountryValue (US$ PPP) in 2020
New ZealandUS$36,347 PPP
AustraliaUS$37,385 PPP
CanadaUS$41,560 PPP
United KingdomUS$27,991 PPP

2020. Bars start at zero.

New Zealand: US$36,347 PPP
Typical household income in the survey. New Zealand: US$36,347 PPP in 2020. Australia: US$37,385 PPP in 2020. United Kingdom: US$27,991 PPP in 2020. Canada: US$41,560 PPP in 2020.
  • New Zealand: US$36,347 PPP (2020)
  • Australia: US$37,385 PPP (2020)
  • United Kingdom: US$27,991 PPP (2020)
  • Canada: US$41,560 PPP (2020)

Source: OECD; NZ in Numbers calculation. Definitions, limits and downloads.

Australian house prices have outpaced incomes by 24.9% since 2015, in Mar 2026 qtr

Change since the base year 2015, when each country's own index equals 100. New Zealand's change is +0.5% in Mar 2026 qtr. This compares changes in prices compared with incomes. In Mar 2026 qtr, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have.

In Mar 2026 qtr, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have.

Change since 2015 (%)
New ZealandAustraliaUnited KingdomCanada
Change since 2015 (%). New Zealand, Mar 1990 qtr to Mar 2026 qtr, latest 0.5%. Australia, Mar 1990 qtr to Mar 2026 qtr, latest 24.9%. United Kingdom, Mar 1990 qtr to Mar 2026 qtr, latest 4.2%. Canada, Mar 1990 qtr to Mar 2026 qtr, latest 25.7%.2015 base-50%0%50%100%1990199620022008201520212026
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (%)Australia (%)United Kingdom (%)Canada (%)
Mar 2026 qtr0.5%24.9%4.2%25.7%
Dec 2025 qtr1.3%21.5%3.6%28.0%
Sep 2025 qtr3.1%21.0%4.2%28.7%
Jun 2025 qtr4.1%19.2%3.0%31.4%
Mar 2025 qtr4.6%17.8%4.6%34.7%
Dec 2024 qtr6.5%19.3%3.8%35.3%
Sep 2024 qtr7.7%20.0%5.0%34.7%
Jun 2024 qtr10.0%21.2%6.3%36.9%
Mar 2024 qtr11.9%20.1%6.7%37.8%
Dec 2023 qtr11.8%18.4%9.6%38.4%
Sep 2023 qtr13.6%18.6%10.1%39.5%
Jun 2023 qtr14.2%16.8%10.3%36.6%
Mar 2023 qtr15.8%15.2%14.0%37.3%
Dec 2022 qtr20.5%13.8%15.7%38.3%
Sep 2022 qtr26.8%12.7%19.8%45.4%
Jun 2022 qtr34.0%17.7%19.8%51.2%
Mar 2022 qtr39.4%19.5%18.2%47.2%
Dec 2021 qtr42.9%19.1%15.4%43.3%
Sep 2021 qtr38.7%12.7%12.5%36.3%
Jun 2021 qtr34.1%12.5%12.9%32.5%
Full data: house price to income international
Country comparison in Mar 2026 qtr
CountryValue (%) in Mar 2026 qtr
New Zealand0.5%
Australia24.9%
Canada25.7%
United Kingdom4.2%
March 2026 quarterNew Zealand 0.5%Australia 24.9%United Kingdom 4.2%Canada 25.7%
Change since 2015 (%). New Zealand: 0.5% in Mar 2026 qtr. Australia: 24.9% in Mar 2026 qtr. United Kingdom: 4.2% in Mar 2026 qtr. Canada: 25.7% in Mar 2026 qtr.
  • New Zealand: 0.5% (Mar 2026 qtr)
  • Australia: 24.9% (Mar 2026 qtr)
  • United Kingdom: 4.2% (Mar 2026 qtr)
  • Canada: 25.7% (Mar 2026 qtr)

Source: OECD. Definitions, limits and downloads.

New Zealand has more nurses per person than Canada and the United States

Professionally active nurses per 1,000 people. Australia had 14.82 in 2024. In 2024, the latest period all 4 comparison countries have. New Zealand's newer value is 13.83 (2025; per 1000 people).

New ZealandAustraliaCanadaUnited States
New Zealand202413.07 per 1,000 people
Australia202414.82 per 1,000 people
Canada202411.19 per 1,000 people
United States202412.59 per 1,000 people
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand (per 1,000 people)Australia (per 1,000 people)Canada (per 1,000 people)United States (per 1,000 people)
202413.07 per 1,000 people14.82 per 1,000 people11.19 per 1,000 people12.59 per 1,000 people
202312.24 per 1,000 people14.45 per 1,000 people11.05 per 1,000 people12.30 per 1,000 people
202212.23 per 1,000 people14.11 per 1,000 people11.13 per 1,000 people12.03 per 1,000 people
202111.73 per 1,000 people14.07 per 1,000 people11.18 per 1,000 people11.97 per 1,000 people
202011.37 per 1,000 people13.44 per 1,000 people10.99 per 1,000 people11.83 per 1,000 people
201910.97 per 1,000 people13.43 per 1,000 people10.93 per 1,000 people11.90 per 1,000 people
201810.94 per 1,000 people13.21 per 1,000 people10.87 per 1,000 people11.82 per 1,000 people
201710.86 per 1,000 people12.98 per 1,000 people10.91 per 1,000 people11.71 per 1,000 people
201610.95 per 1,000 people12.89 per 1,000 people10.97 per 1,000 people11.58 per 1,000 people
201510.95 per 1,000 people12.74 per 1,000 people10.93 per 1,000 people11.27 per 1,000 people
201410.83 per 1,000 people12.67 per 1,000 people10.83 per 1,000 people11.15 per 1,000 people
201310.80 per 1,000 people12.66 per 1,000 people10.71 per 1,000 people11.12 per 1,000 people
201210.76 per 1,000 people12.76 per 1,000 people10.53 per 1,000 people11.13 per 1,000 people
201110.80 per 1,000 people12.83 per 1,000 people10.50 per 1,000 people11.08 per 1,000 people
201010.89 per 1,000 peopleNo data10.44 per 1,000 people10.94 per 1,000 people
200910.36 per 1,000 people12.76 per 1,000 people10.36 per 1,000 people10.80 per 1,000 people
200810.51 per 1,000 people12.84 per 1,000 people10.27 per 1,000 people10.76 per 1,000 people
20079.92 per 1,000 people12.64 per 1,000 people10.12 per 1,000 people10.58 per 1,000 people
20069.52 per 1,000 peopleNo data10.01 per 1,000 people10.52 per 1,000 people
20059.71 per 1,000 people12.11 per 1,000 people9.96 per 1,000 people10.42 per 1,000 people
Full data: nurses international
Country comparison in 2024
CountryValue (per 1,000 people) in 2024
New Zealand13.07 per 1,000 people
Australia14.82 per 1,000 people
Canada11.19 per 1,000 people
United States12.59 per 1,000 people

2024. Bars start at zero.

New Zealand: 13.07 per 1,000 people
New Zealand has more nurses per person than Canada and the United States. New Zealand: 13.07 per 1,000 people in 2024. Australia: 14.82 per 1,000 people in 2024. Canada: 11.19 per 1,000 people in 2024. United States: 12.59 per 1,000 people in 2024.
  • New Zealand: 13.07 per 1,000 people (2024)
  • Australia: 14.82 per 1,000 people (2024)
  • Canada: 11.19 per 1,000 people (2024)
  • United States: 12.59 per 1,000 people (2024)

Source: OECD. Definitions, limits and downloads.

Half of knee replacement patients wait more than 7 months in 2024

The New Zealand knee median is 218 days in 2024, compared with 255 in Australia. Knee and hip replacements are grouped by country. Source definitions and reporting coverage differ. In 2024, the latest period all 8 comparison countries have. New Zealand's newer value is 213 (2025; days).

New Zealand: knee replacement, median daysNew Zealand: hip replacement, median daysAustralia: knee replacement, median daysAustralia: hip replacement, median daysCanada: knee replacement, median daysCanada: hip replacement, median daysUnited Kingdom: knee replacement, median daysUnited Kingdom: hip replacement, median days
New Zealand: knee replacement, median days2024218 days
New Zealand: hip replacement, median days2024154 days
Australia: knee replacement, median days2024255 days
Australia: hip replacement, median days2024130 days
Canada: knee replacement, median days2024151 days
Canada: hip replacement, median days2024125 days
United Kingdom: knee replacement, median days2024133 days
United Kingdom: hip replacement, median days2024116 days
Show the figures
PeriodNew Zealand: knee replacement, median days (days)New Zealand: hip replacement, median days (days)Australia: knee replacement, median days (days)Australia: hip replacement, median days (days)Canada: knee replacement, median days (days)Canada: hip replacement, median days (days)United Kingdom: knee replacement, median days (days)United Kingdom: hip replacement, median days (days)
2024218 days154 days255 days130 days151 days125 days133 days116 days
2023223 days163 days265 days135 days161 days131 days145 days129 days
2022193 days155 days308 days175 days198 days164 days146 days129 days
2021127 days112 days293 days153 days159 days134 days138 days122 days
2020120 days106 days308 days179 days197 days165 daysNo dataNo data
2019106 days99 days223 days120 days121 days106 daysNo dataNo data
201889 days81 days209 days119 days122 days105 daysNo dataNo data
201775 days73 days198 days119 days129 days105 daysNo dataNo data
201679 days76 days195 days110 days118 days98 daysNo dataNo data
201578 days76 days188 days114 days110 days93 daysNo dataNo data
201495 days85 days191 days109 days101 days89 daysNo dataNo data
2013112 days98 days194 days106 days105 days88 daysNo dataNo data
2012110 days99 days196 days116 days107 days89 daysNo dataNo data
201197 days90 days184 days116 days108 days90 daysNo dataNo data
201099 days91 days173 days106 days99 days83 daysNo dataNo data
200984 days82 days179 days115 days94 days79 daysNo dataNo data
200879 days78 days147 days100 days99 days82 daysNo dataNo data
200777 days77 days160 days107 daysNo dataNo dataNo dataNo data
200665 days63 days162 days106 daysNo dataNo dataNo dataNo data
200543 days44 days178 days111 daysNo dataNo dataNo dataNo data
Full data: elective surgery waiting timesFull data: waiting times international
Country comparison in 2024
Countryknee replacement, median days (days) in 2024hip replacement, median days (days) in 2024
New Zealand218 days154 days
Australia255 days130 days
Canada151 days125 days
United Kingdom133 days116 days

2024. Bars start at zero.

New Zealand: knee replacement, median days: 218 days
Half of knee replacement patients wait more than 7 months in 2024. New Zealand: knee replacement, median days: 218 days in 2024. New Zealand: hip replacement, median days: 154 days in 2024. Australia: knee replacement, median days: 255 days in 2024. Australia: hip replacement, median days: 130 days in 2024. Canada: knee replacement, median days: 151 days in 2024. Canada: hip replacement, median days: 125 days in 2024. United Kingdom: knee replacement, median days: 133 days in 2024. United Kingdom: hip replacement, median days: 116 days in 2024.
  • New Zealand: knee replacement, median days: 218 days (2024)
  • New Zealand: hip replacement, median days: 154 days (2024)
  • Australia: knee replacement, median days: 255 days (2024)
  • Australia: hip replacement, median days: 130 days (2024)
  • Canada: knee replacement, median days: 151 days (2024)
  • Canada: hip replacement, median days: 125 days (2024)
  • United Kingdom: knee replacement, median days: 133 days (2024)
  • United Kingdom: hip replacement, median days: 116 days (2024)

Source: OECD. Definitions, limits and downloads.

New Zealand vs Australia, UK and Canada: missing data

We leave out avoidable death rates because New Zealand's OECD figures end in 2020 while other countries' run to 2024. Singapore is only included where OECD-comparable data exists.