A South African woman living in New Zealand posted a video on 30 March 2026 comparing lifestyle statistics between the two countries. She laid out figures side by side, from monthly income and minimum wage to house prices, life expectancy and unemployment rates. She said some of the numbers surprised even her, and she ended by asking viewers which stat shocked them the most.
The numbers she shared painted quite a picture. The average monthly income in New Zealand sits at around NZ$4,300 (roughly R41,624) compared to approximately NZ$1,200 (around R11,616) in South Africa. The minimum wage per hour in New Zealand is NZ$23.50 (about R227) against NZ$3.23 (around R31) in South Africa. Life expectancy in New Zealand is 82 years compared to 64 years in South Africa, and the unemployment rate is 4% versus South Africa’s 32%. The one stat that went in South Africa’s favour was sunshine hours, with SA clocking 3,000 hours a year against New Zealand’s 2,000.
Not everyone was convinced, though. Several people pointed out that a higher income in New Zealand does not automatically mean a better life, because the cost of living there is also significantly higher. Others questioned where the house price figure of NZ$120,000 (around R1,161,600) for South Africa came from, with many saying they have never seen a home listed anywhere near that price.
South Africa’s lower life expectancy also drew attention, with one person bluntly pointing out that hospital appointments in the country are often scheduled long after treatment is actually needed.
Watch the TikTok clip below:
SA fires back at NZ lifestyle stats
South Africans were not going down without a fight in the comments section on the TikToker @southafricankiwis’s page:
@Eddie Titus said:
“South Africa — 4 Rugby World Cups. New Zealand — 3 Rugby World Cups.”
@Jasonk182 added:
“Nah, I’m happy here in SA, hey 👍”
@BUTCH kept it simple:
“I’m happy here.”
@Quinton Allies pointed out:
“The only purpose these videos serve is to try to convince yourself you made the right choice. Go ahead, live your life, mate. No need to look back all the time.”
@Ethan✨️ questioned:
“Correct me if I’m wrong, although your income is more, the cost of living there is also high.”
@TheLynx73 shared:
“I live in Germany half the year, earning minimum wage. Nothing beats SA — the friendly people and the beautiful landscapes.”
@Jormungandr_scar asked:
“Point me in the direction of those R120,000 houses.”
@no.Ragrets added:
“Where are these stats coming from? Where the fudge can I find a R120k house?”
@AbsoluteShield noted:
“Because our hospital appointments are scheduled for two months after treatment is needed.”
@Bigztrickz said:
“It’s almost like good public infrastructure makes people’s lives easier.”
@Engela Briers asked:
“I would like to know the average living cost for a regular family — two adults and two kids.”
@Dazman suggested:
“Now redo it at purchasing price parity.”
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