Economic » Prosperous Community

All members of our community prosper from a strong and growing economy. A thriving business sector attracts and retains a skilled and productive workforce.

What is Prosperous Community?

A prosperous community is one in which there is a job market in which employment is growing, unemployment is low, incomes are relatively high and evenly distributed and people are well-educated. Having a decent income is a crucial element contributing to quality of life because most basic needs such as food, water, shelter, health care and many forms of recreation have to be purchased. The valuable services resulting from unpaid household and community work also contribute directly to our well-being and prosperity.

The prosperous community outcome is made up of eight indicators that were selected to measure progress towards the outcome definition (shown above). Please see below for the data relating to each of the prosperous community indicators.

City Circular

Prosperous community GPI, 2001-2016

What this means

The prosperous community index of the WR-GPI rose steadily between 2003 and 2008. However, the economic impacts associated with the fall-out from the global financial crisis (GFC) created a sharp reversal of the positive trend at 2008, and the index was negatively affected for the following four years with signs of recovery evident in 2013. A net change for this index between 2001 and 2016 of 5.0%. 

Did you know?

Using GDP, smoking has traditionally been counted as a benefit to the economy. With a GPI, smoking is regarded as a cost

8 Indicators are being used to track Prosperous Community in the Wellington region

Click on each indicator below to access further information


Download Territorial Authority data for these Indicators


Educational qualification of the workforce

Why is this indicator important?

The educational attainment of the adult population is an indicator of the skills available to the economy. The level of formal educational qualifications is a commonly used proxy for human capital. A higher level of human capital can improve economic efficiency by providing organisations and individuals with knowledge and skills for economic development. Educational attainment is also important for participation in society and personal satisfaction.

Percentage of the working age population with no educational qualifications, 2001-2013

Findings

  • The percentage of the working age population in the Wellington region with no educational qualifications was 16.0% in 2013, a significant decrease from 2001 (21.9%).
  • The percentage of the working age population in the Wellington region with no educational qualifications was substantially below the national rate throughout the 2001-2013 period. The national rate also decreased between 2001 and 2013 (27.7% to 20.9%).

Educational qualification of the workforce

Definition and data details

Indicator Definition

The woking age population (15 years and over) with no education qualifications expressed as a percentage of the working age population (15 years and over)

Data Source

Statistics New Zealand: Census

Last updated July 2014

Data available only for 2001, 2006 and 2013.

Indicators are updated in May and November each year; for those indicators where new data or survey results have become available.

While care has been taken in processing, analysing and extracting information, we cannot guarantee that the information is free from error and we shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of any information, product or service.