New Zealand: Financial freedom

The latest value from 2024 is 80 points, unchanged from 80 points in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 49 points, based on data from 175 countries. Historically, the average for New Zealand from 1996 to 2024 is 84 points. The minimum value, 80 points, was reached in 2007 while the maximum of 90 points was recorded in 1996. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The Financial Freedom index for New Zealand from The Heritage Foundation measures the efficiency of the banking system and the interventions of the government into the financial system. A higher score means more efficient banking institutions and less government intervention.

Definition: The Financial freedom index evaluates: the extent of government regulation of financial services, the degree of state intervention in banks and other financial firms through direct and indirect ownership, the extent of financial and capital market development, government influence on the allocation of credit and openness to foreign competition. Higher index values denote banking efficiency and independence from government control and interference in the financial sector.