Measure
Annual changes
Down 1 ranking in 2020 for comprehensive power.
Lost 0.9 points (−4% change) in overall score.
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Analysis
New Zealand is a middle power in Asia.
The country’s power ranking has dropped by one place from last year, having been overtaken by Vietnam. The country is one of eighteen in the region to trend downward in its overall score in 2020, due largely to the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand performs best in the resilience and defence networks measures, where it places 6th. Its lowest ranking, in 19th place, occurs in the future resources measure. This reflects a likely relative loss in standing over the next decade in comparison to emerging middle powers in the region.
In 2020, New Zealand saw its greatest improvement in cultural influence, where it moved up one place. However, it has also slipped by two places in the economic capability measure, where New Zealand was surpassed by the fast-growing economies of Vietnam and the Philippines in Southeast Asia.
New Zealand exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score. While New Zealand is a net overachiever in Asia, its positive power gap deteriorated in 2020.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
13th −1
19.0
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
15th −2
— 6.5
Military capability
Conventional military strength
15th
11.7
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
6th
— 45.6
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
19th
3.8
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
12th −1
— 11.9
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
6th
34.7
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
11th
— 47.5
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
15th +1
8.8