Are we in a happiness recession? Stats NZ releases official ‘wellbeing’ data

Kiwis' satisfaction with life has dipped, but not by much, despite inflation and recession. Photo / Getty Images

Despite two years of inflation and tough economic times, Kiwis’ overall satisfaction with life is holding up well, the latest official wellbeing data released by Stats NZ shows.

But people felt less safe than in 2021 and trust in institutions such as the health system, education system, parliament, media, police, and courts has declined.

And as inflation hit, almost half of us cut back on fruit and vegetables in 2023, Stats NZ found.

The 2023 General Social Survey polled New Zealanders on a wide range of well-being measures between May 2023 and April 2024.

It is benchmarked against similar surveys done in 2021, 2018 and 2016.

People aged 15 and over reported an average overall life satisfaction score of 7.6 out of 10 (where 0 is low and 10 is high), which is similar to the mean rating of 7.7 out of 10 in 2021.

But in 2023, some groups rated their overall life satisfaction significantly lower, on average, than the total population. These included families composed of one parent, (7.0), disabled people (6.3), people with a household income of $30,000 or less (7.2) and LGBT+ people (6.9).

People reported the things they do in life were worthwhile, with a mean rating of 7.9 out of 10, which is similar to 8.0 in 2021.

In 2023, 39% of people reported they had only just enough, or not enough, money to meet everyday needs, similar to 37% in 2018.

For families composed of one parent, this rate was 59% in 2023, which was similar to 61% in 2018.

Almost half (48%) of people reported they had gone without or cut back on fresh fruit or vegetables in 2023, up from 23% in 2018. For families composed of one parent, this rate was 61% in 2023, up from 40% in 2018.

Fear of crime

Reflecting fears about rising crime, more of us reported feeling less safe in 2023, compared with 2021. The proportion of those who felt safe or very safe when walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark fell to 55% in 2023, from 59% in 2021.

The proportion who felt safe or very safe being at home by themselves at night fell to 80% in 2023, from 85% in 2021.

In 2023, 16% of people said they had a crime committed against them in the past 12 months.

People rated worrying about crime as having a greater effect on their quality of life in 2023 than in 2021. The mean rating was 3.7 out of 10, up from 3.3 in 2021 (where 0 was no effect and 10 was a large effect).

The regions showing the most significant changes in fear and worry were: Auckland, at 4.5 (up from 3.8 in 2021), Bay of Plenty, at 3.7 (up from 2.9 in 2021), Manawatū-Whanganui, at 3.3 (up from 2.7 in 2021).

Lower Trust

On average, people rated their trust in most people at 6.5 in 2023 on a 0 to 10 scale, down from 6.7 in 2021. In addition to generalised trust, trust in institutions such as the police and media also fell.

People rated institutional trust on a 0 to 10 scale.

Most reported having higher trust in police compared with other institutions, with a mean rating of 7.4 out of 10 in 2023, down from 7.7 in 2021. People had the least trust in the media, at 4.3, down from 4.7 in 2021. Trust in parliament decreased the most in 2023 compared with other institutions, down to 4.9 from 5.7 in 2021.

Liam Dann is business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald. He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003.