Spinel-type nickel cobaltite with numerous oxygen vacancies is successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and thermal reduction using hydrogen. The effects of oxygen vacancies on the electrochemical activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction are investigated. The prepared catalyst displays significantly enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance under alkaline conditions, which is comparable to that of commercial Pt/C. The oxygen-deficient NiCo2O4 exhibits a very high limiting current density of -5.44 mA cm(-2) with onset and half-wave potentials of 0.93 and 0.78 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), respectively. Additionally, it shows excellent durability and resistance to methanol. The enhanced ORR activity and stability of the catalyst can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of the relatively large electrochemical surface area, more exposed active sites, and good electrical conductivity derived from abundant oxygen vacancies. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.