Which jobs are recession-proof?

Top 10 most in-demand jobs in New Zealand include chefs and store managers

BY Sarah Dobson 18 Feb 2023

With rising costs interest rates, inflation and the Russian-Ukraine war, a recession is very possible in 2023.

And while no industry is fully “recession-proof,” some will survive better than others, according to Matt Cowgill, senior economist at employment marketplace Seek.

“The Reserve Bank is forecasting that the unemployment rate will rise quite sharply in 2023. If that happens, more employers will let staff go, and jobs will be harder to find for those out of work.”

The bank is forecasting a recession this year, stretching into 2024. and expects the employment rate to drop sharply.

And when it comes to the three industries most likely to do well in a recession, healthcare and medical comes out on top, according to Seek.

“People still need to access healthcare even during a period of slow economic growth, so demand for healthcare workers will remain strong during a recession.”

Second on the list is the farming, animals and conservation industry — “people still need to eat, regardless of how the economy’s going.”

Finally, education and training is expected to thrive in a downturn, according to the job board, “as people still want to further their studies and advance their skills during a recession. Teachers will still be required to work and remain in high demand, even during periods of uncertainty.”