Economy New Zealand
Economy - overview:
Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand
from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market
access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can
compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes (but
left behind many at the bottom of the ladder), broadened and
deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector,
and contained inflationary pressures. Per capita income has risen
for eight consecutive years and was more than $25,500 in 2006 in
purchasing power parity terms. Consumer and government spending have
driven growth in recent years, and exports picked up in 2006 after
struggling for several years. Exports are equal to about 28% of GDP,
down from 33 percent of GDP in 2001. Thus far the economy has been
resilient, and the Labor Government promises that expenditures on
health, education, and pensions will increase proportionately to
output.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$106 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$98.77 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$26,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.3% industry: 26.9% services: 68.8% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 2.18 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 25% services: 65% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
8.3% (2006 est.)