International Rankings Highlight New Zealand’s Performance
New Zealand’s global and domestic performance in 2024 has been assessed in a comprehensive report card, shedding light on the nation’s strengths and areas for improvement. The analysis covers a wide range of international measures, providing valuable insights into where New Zealand stands on the world stage.
According to the report, New Zealand has received high marks in various key areas, such as civil liberty, security, and gender equality. The country scored impressively in political and civil liberties, ranking second globally after Finland with a score of 99 out of 100 by the global monitoring group Freedom House. Additionally, New Zealand maintained its fourth position in the Global Peace Index for safety and security, showcasing low levels of domestic and international conflict.
Despite these achievements, the report also highlights areas where New Zealand lags behind. Press freedom, competitiveness and innovation, and environmental performance are among the key areas where the country has room for improvement. With media companies facing closures and layoffs, New Zealand dropped in the Press Freedom Index from 13th to 19th place. The country’s ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report has also declined to 32nd position, marking a significant slide from 20th in 2021.
Challenges on the Domestic Front
On the domestic front, New Zealand is grappling with issues such as rising unemployment, personal income fluctuations, and increasing incarceration rates. While the country’s unemployment rate stands at 4.8 percent, just below the OECD average, the median weekly earnings have seen a notable increase of NZ$70 to $1343 in the year to June. However, the report also highlights concerning trends, such as the growing prison population, with nearly 10,000 people in full-time custody as of September.
Moreover, New Zealand continues to face challenges in addressing child poverty and housing affordability. The percentage of children living in households with less than 50 percent of the median income has remained stable at 12.6 percent. Still, when factoring in housing costs, this figure rises to 17.5 percent, reflecting the ongoing struggle for many families in accessing affordable housing.
Overall, the report paints a nuanced picture of New Zealand’s performance in 2024, showcasing both strengths and areas for improvement. While the country excels in certain aspects, there are clear challenges that need to be addressed to ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for all New Zealanders.
As we reflect on the findings of this report card, it prompts us to consider how we can collectively work towards a brighter future for New Zealand. Whether it’s advocating for press freedom, promoting innovation and competitiveness, or addressing social inequalities, each of us has a role to play in shaping the trajectory of our nation. By coming together to tackle these challenges head-on, we can pave the way for a more resilient and inclusive New Zealand for generations to come.