Job numbers were boosted by general election staff in October 2020, along with rises in the manufacturing, retail, and hospitality industries, Stats NZ said today.
Filled jobs rose by 27,667 to 2.2 million in October 2020 compared with September, after a 7,535 rise in the September 2020 month. The rise of 15,155 jobs from the public administration and safety group contributed the most to the increase in filled jobs in October.
"Staff employed for the country's general election on 17 October drove the substantial lift in the public sector administration group," economic statistics manager Sue Chapman said.
Filled jobs normally increase between September and October months, with an average increase over the previous five years of 11,591 jobs.
"Even with the lift from election-related jobs, total filled jobs are not significantly higher than they were this time last year, reflecting the impact COVID-19 has had on the economy," Ms Chapman said.
Filled jobs are up 28,082 (1.3 percent) compared with October 2019. This is the smallest annual increase since a 1.1 percent rise in October 2012.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
| Jan | 2082486 | 2133612 | 2184153 |
| Feb | 2094910 | 2144000 | 2201538 |
| Mar | 2115684 | 2157545 | 2215455 |
| Apr | 2116668 | 2166023 | 2180714 |
| May | 2123559 | 2171460 | 2195122 |
| Jun | 2109300 | 2157969 | 2193077 |
| Jul | 2099953 | 2150982 | 2176330 |
| Aug | 2106309 | 2152762 | 2169722 |
| Sep | 2110076 | 2165388 | 2177257 |
| Oct | 2132730 | 2176842 | 2204924 |
Manufacturing had the second-largest industry rise in October 2020 compared with September, up 2,713 jobs, followed by the retail trade industry, up 2,188 jobs. The accommodation and food services group rose by 2,019 jobs in October.
The rise of 5,048 jobs in the youngest age group, 15-19-years, together with another 3,123 jobs in the next youngest age group, 20-24-years, accounted for 30 percent of the national rise of 27,667 filled jobs in October 2020.
All the regions had increases in numbers of filled jobs compared with September. Auckland recorded the largest rise of 8,104 jobs, followed by Wellington, up 3,329, and Canterbury, up 3,301 jobs.
Stats NZ calculates filled jobs by averaging weekly jobs paid throughout the month, based on tax data.
Gross earnings for October 2020 were $11.2 billion, compared with $12.3 billion in October 2019.
Enterprise counts rose 0.4 percent in October
The number of enterprises on the Stats NZ Business Register (a register of all economically significant businesses in New Zealand) grew by 2,250 (0.4 percent) to 538,000 in October 2020, compared with September 2020.
A new series showing monthly enterprise counts, plus changes to this total such as new businesses and those that have ceased, is now available in Infoshare:
- BDCM.SB+ Enterprise counts, entries, and exits - Total NZ
On Infoshare, select subject category 'Industry sectors', then 'Business Data Collection', then 'Enterprise counts - Total NZ'.
