This section provides an overview of the key statistics relating to the current status of young people. It highlights the main features that distinguish the experiences of young people from other groups in New Zealand. It illustrates the importance of these factors on policy development to enhance young people's ability to make a positive contribution in their adult lives.

While the Ministry operates with a definition of young people as being persons aged between 12 and 25 years, the statistics given in this section relate only to the 15-24 year age group. This reflects the age classes Statistics New Zealand use when compiling national statistics. 15 is taken as the starting year because the age class below it is 5-14 years, which comprises seven year classes over and above the youth population.  

At the 1991 Census just over half a million New Zealanders were aged between 15 and 24 years. More young people are tending to live with their families for a longer period of time. In 1981, 26% of young people aged between 20 and 24 lived with their family. By 1991, this percentage had increased to 30%.

Young people also have the highest rate of unemployment of any age group. Unemployment is highest among young people aged between 15 and19 years. The unemployment rate for the 15-19 age group has consistently been two to three times higher than the average overall rate for at least the last two decades. 18 Young people are participating longer in secondary education and tend to have more and higher qualifications than previous generations.

The youth population as a percentage of the total population has been declining for some time. Fifteen years ago just over 18% of the total population was aged between 15-24 years of age. In 1991 this percentage had declined to 16%. Demographic projections suggest that for 1996 this figure will have decreased to just under 15% of the total population. 

Explanations for the decrease can be found in longer life expectancy and the progression of the baby boom, generation into middle age. The youth population has also declined in absolute numbers, reflecting the declining birth rates that commenced in the 1960s through to the late 1980s.

The decline in the young population as a proportion of the total population is forecast3 to continue. By the year 2031 young people are expected to account for approximately 13% of the total population.

 In contrast to an overall trend towards an ageing population, Maori and Pacific Islands populations comprise an increasing proportion of young people.

Less than 37% of the Pakeha population was aged 24 years and under at the 1991 Census. In contrast, Maori and Pacific Islands populations had 59% and 57% percent of their respective populations aged less than 24 years. The proportion of young people in the Maori and Pacific Islands populations is forecast to continue to increase.

Although the youth population is spread relatively evenly across the country, the population of metropolitan areas tends to have a larger youth component than provincial areas. This reflects the fact that young people are more likely to move to larger cities to seek work and higher education.  

Rural populations also have a higher percentage of young Maori and lower percentage of young Pacific Islands people.