Earthquake deaths in New Zealand
New Zealand: Earthquake deaths was 2 in 2016. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2016)
2
World rank
30th
of 51 countries
All-time high
261
in 1931
All-time low
1
in 1905
Years of data
11
1848–2016
Earthquake deaths in New Zealand, 1848–2016
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
New Zealand recorded 2 for earthquake deaths in 2016.
That represents a change of up 100.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, earthquake deaths in New Zealand peaked at 261 in 1931 and was at its lowest, 1, in 1905.
New Zealand ranks 30th of 51 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Earthquake deaths in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1848 | 3 | — |
| 1905 | 1 | -66.7% |
| 1914 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 17 | +1600.0% |
| 1931 | 261 | +1435.3% |
| 1968 | 3 | -98.9% |
| 1987 | 1 | -66.7% |
| 2004 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 186 | +18500.0% |
| 2016 | 2 | -98.9% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 2 is above the median for high income countries, which is 2, 1.0× the median. (15 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 2 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.5, 57% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1840s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 1900s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1910s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1920s | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 |
| 1930s | 261 | 261 | 261 | 1 |
| 1960s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 1980s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2000s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2010s | 94 | 2 | 186 | 2 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More health data for New Zealand
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.94 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.4815 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 33 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.1187 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0277 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.018 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0291 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is earthquake deaths in New Zealand?
- Earthquake deaths in New Zealand was 2 in 2016, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest earthquake deaths recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 261 in 1931.
- What is the lowest earthquake deaths recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 1905.
- How does New Zealand rank for earthquake deaths?
- New Zealand ranks 30th out of 51 countries with data for 2016.
- Is earthquake deaths rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Earthquake deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).