New Zealand—Rural Population (%)
New Zealand's rural population (%) was 16.0% in 2025, ranking #170 out of 217 countries. This represents a -0.4% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 16.2% (2018) and the lowest was 14.1% (2006). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16.0% | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 16.1% | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 16.1% | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 16.1% | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 16.2% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 16.2% | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 16.2% | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 16.2% | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 15.8% | +3.4% |
| 2016 | 15.3% | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 14.8% | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 14.5% | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 14.3% | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 14.2% | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 14.2% | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 14.1% | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 14.1% | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 14.1% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 14.1% | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 14.1% | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 14.1% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 14.1% | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 14.1% | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 14.2% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 14.2% | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 14.3% |
Top Countries — Rural Population (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liechtenstein | 85.4% | 2025 |
| 2 | Papua New Guinea | 84.2% | 2025 |
| 3 | Samoa | 82.5% | 2025 |
| 4 | Malawi | 82.4% | 2025 |
| 5 | Niger | 81.6% | 2025 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 79.5% | 2025 |
| 7 | Tonga | 78.8% | 2025 |
| 8 | South Sudan | 78.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Vanuatu | 77.7% | 2025 |
| 10 | Micronesia, Fed. Sts. | 77.5% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.
Methodology
Data compiled by World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, note: World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects, National definitions, publisher: UN Population Division; Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), note: World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects, National definitions.
Unit
% of total population