Number of Deaths

IBISWorld forecasts the number of deaths in New Zealand to drop by 2.2% in 2024-25, to a total of 36,799 deaths. The primary cause of death in New Zealand is noncommunicable diseases. The New Zealand Government (Te Kawanatanga o Aotearoa) published the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024-27 on June 2024. According to this statement, five noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and poor mental health, contribute significantly to deaths from noncommunicable diseases in New Zealand. Despite the ageing population, slower growth in New Zealand’s population is expected to result in slower growth in the number of deaths.

Deaths from communicable illnesses, such as the winter flus and road accidents impact the number of deaths. Following a two-year absence through the end of 2021-22, aided by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing practices, the flu returned in full force from 2022-23, swamping hospitals with high patient numbers. Most flu cases have been influenza A, which typically causes more illness in elderly populations. A flu strain of similar effect has emerged over the past few years, driving up death numbers, particularly among the older age cohort.