Household crowding on the rise, impacting wellbeing

We have updated our surveillance on household crowding using 2023 census data from Stats NZ. Here are the key findings.

  • In 2023, 12.2% of New Zealanders (560,637 people) lived in crowded households. This is an
    increase from 10.1% in 2013 and 11.2% in 2018. Among them, 4.5% (208,164 people)
    experienced severe household crowding, requiring two or more extra bedrooms.
  • Household crowding rates were much higher among Pacific peoples (38.5%) and Māori (23.3%)
    in 2023.
  • Children (0–14 years) experienced a high household crowding rate of 18.2%, with young adults
    (15–29 years) slightly higher at 18.5%.
  • In 2023, Counties Manukau health district had the highest percentage of its population living in
    crowded households (22.7%).

See the full findings here.