The 2013 census showed that the average New Zealander was aged 38, was paid $28,500 a year, owned his or her own home and was employed in the service industry. Service jobs include jobs in health, hair dressing, banks, real estate, electricity or any kind of job which provides a service to other people.
While the average wages are low, this is partly because the average for women was $23,100 while the average for men was $36,000. Five percent (5%) of the population earned more than $100,000 but 75% of those people were men.
There are slightly more women in New Zealand than men over the age of 25, with 51.3% women and 48.7% men. One in 5 adults has a university degree but 57.8% of these are female while only 42.2% are male.
There is almost the same number of couples without children as there are couples with children. Nearly 18% of families are one-parent families.
Listen to February 3rd 2014 and December 12th 2013 for more census information about people in NZ.
Grammar of comparisons
- (slightly) more women than
- the same number (of couples without children) as
Questions to think about
- Why do you think there are more women than men aged over 25?
- If more women than men have a degree, why do men earn more?
- Primary industries are farming, forestry, horticulture etc. Secondary industries are manufacturing. Tertiary industries are service industries. Are service industry jobs increasing in your country?