Crowding levels above the national mean (10.1%) occurs in all age groups below 35–39. Age groups most likely to live in a crowded house are: 0–4 years and 20–24 years. This suggests that crowded households are likely to include a higher proportion of children 0–4 years and young adults 20–24 years. Relatively high levels of crowding probably occur in households with multiple children and/or with young adults (Table 3a and Figure 3).
Table 3a: Proportion of crowding by age group – percent crowded
Figure 3: Proportion of New Zealanders living in crowded conditions by age group – percent crowded
The Counties Manukau DHB region has the highest crowding levels across all age groups. For children aged 0–14, the highest crowding levels occurs in Counties Manukau, Tairawhiti, Auckland and Northland.
In Counties Manukau DHB, 30 percent of children aged 0–4 years are living in crowded households. Tairawhiti DHB has 24 percent for the same age group; Auckland has 21 percent, Northland has 19 percent and Hawke’s Bay and Lakes both have 17 percent (Table 3b).
Table 3b: Crowding by age group and district health board – percent crowded