FX.co ★ New Zealand Jobless Rate Rises to 5.2% in Q2

In the June quarter of 2025, New Zealand experienced a modest increase in its unemployment rate, reaching 5.2%, up slightly from 5.1% in the previous quarter and aligning with market predictions. The tally of unemployed individuals grew to 158,000, an increase from 156,000 in March, and represented a yearly increase of 16,000 people, or 11.1%. Concurrently, the seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate decreased to 70.5% from 70.7% in the earlier quarter, suggesting a minor decline in workforce participation. Additionally, the underutilisation rate, which offers a more comprehensive view of spare labor capacity, rose to 12.8%, up from 12.4% in March and 11.9% the previous year. These statistics indicate a growing slack in the labor market, intensifying the challenges for policymakers amid a backdrop of waning economic momentum.