Benefit numbers six years on

The Government has released the latest benefit data. Here are the changes from June 2017 to June 2023.

All working age benefits

• Total working age 276,331 to 351,759, an increase of 27%
• Maori 97,916 to 131,413, an increase of 34%
• Under 25s 42,615 to 52,689, an increase of 24%
• More than one year 72,558 to 92,814, an increase of 28%

So in six years we have around 75,000 more working age NZers on welfare. Of concern is the increase of Under 25s and those on welfare for more than year because we know from social investment data that being on welfare early and for a long time has highly negative correlation with doing well later in life.

The situation is even worse for those who are on jobseeker.

• Jobseeker 118,776 to 173,130, an increase of 46%
• Maori jobseeker 43,430 to 67,029, an increase of 54%
• More than one year JS 51,299 to 70,365, an increase of 37%

A huge 46% increase of people on what used to be called the dole. even higher for Maori New Zealanders, and despite low unemployment a 37% increase in those who have spent over a year on jobseeker.