Milford Sound

New Zealand

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for New Zealand
Published: 2026

Region: Oceania
Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Density: 19 / km²

WRI Score 2026

69.67

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 71st
In Oceania: 5th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 39%· KPMG / EY
22.8
Among the highest top marginal rates on this list.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 19 / km²· UN WPP
100.0
Sparsely populated, well below global norms.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $52,181· IMF WEO 2026
83.5
Strong output per resident, well above the global median.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 82.5 years· WHO / UN
90.1
Strong healthcare outcomes, above the global average.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.05 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
22.7
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 4.6%· ILO / SECO
88.8
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 1.3% of GDP· SIPRI
91.7
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
91.3
Strong safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
38.9
Elevated ideological enforcement.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

New Zealand holds 71st of 211 with a WRI Score of 69.67 — sits in the upper-middle of the field. Its profile is defined by near-perfect population density (100) and military posture (91.7), offset by tourism and lifestyle appeal, a clear structural constraint.