Pharmaceutical consumption in New Zealand
New Zealand: Pharmaceutical consumption was 351.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2025. ▬ Flat
Pharmaceutical consumption in New Zealand, 2018–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day.
Analysis
The most recent figure for pharmaceutical consumption in New Zealand is 351.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 3.3% on the previous year and down 0.9% over ten years.
New Zealand ranks 7th of 21 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 348.5 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 342.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 354.4 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 2 |
| 2020s | 343.83 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 325 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 351.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 4 Czechia 371.6 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 5 Finland 361.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 6 Greece 352.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 8 Norway 342.2 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 9 Spain 320.8 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
- 10 Sweden 315.3 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day compare
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)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates 1,116 (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 33 (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by country 0 (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 0 (2026)
- Age population, age 25, male, interpolated 35,183 (2025)
- Age population, age 25, female, interpolated 33,038 (2025)
- Age population, age 24, male, interpolated 34,878 (2025)
- Age population, age 24, female, interpolated 33,021 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pharmaceutical consumption in New Zealand?
- Pharmaceutical consumption in New Zealand was 351.1 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest pharmaceutical consumption recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 354.4 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2018.
- What is the lowest pharmaceutical consumption recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 325 Defined daily dose per 1 000 inhabitants per day in 2020.
- How does New Zealand rank for pharmaceutical consumption?
- New Zealand ranks 7th out of 21 countries with data for 2025.
- Is pharmaceutical consumption rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Pharmaceutical consumption. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total pharmaceutical consumption according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification/Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system, created by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. The unit of measurement is Defined Daily Dose (DDD), defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used on its main indication in adults. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system divides drugs into different groups according to the organ system on which they act and/or therapeutical, pharmacological and chemical characteristics. The main principles for the classification of medicinal substances according to the ATC is presented in the publication “Guidelines for ATC classification and DDD assignment”, WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, Oslo. The publication “ATC Index with DDDs” lists all assigned ATC codes and DDD values. Both these publications are updated annually. The ATC codes are based on the 2026 version of the ATC Index. All alterations implemented from January 2026 are available on the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology website at https://www.whocc.no/lists_of__temporary_atc_ddds_and_alterations/. Data should reflect, where possible, the total consumption for each pharmaceutical drug category, i.e. including consumption in hospitals. Please refer to the Sources and Methods for detailed country-specific information.