NZ Population exceeds 3.84 million

National Population Estimates: June 2001 quarter

Population exceeds 3.84 million

New Zealand's estimated resident population at 30 June 2001 was 3,849,000, according to Statistics New Zealand. This represents an increase of 18,200 or 0.5 per cent over the 30 June 2000 figure, and is just over half of the 0.9 per cent average annual growth rate of the previous five years.

The increase in the June 2001 year was smaller than in the previous year due to a smaller natural increase of population. Births exceeded deaths (natural increase) by 27,500 during the June 2001 year compared with 29,900 in 2000. Permanent and long-term departures exceeded arrivals by 9,300 during the June 2001 year, compared with 9,800 in the June 2000 year.

The estimated population increase during the June 2001 quarter was 3,600 or 0.1 per cent. This resulted from a natural increase of 6,500, and a net outflow of 2,900 through permanent and long-term migration. The corresponding population increases for the June quarters of 2000 and 1999 were 1,000 and 1,700 respectively. The larger population gain in the June 2001 quarter was due mainly to the smaller negative migration balance. In the June quarters of 2000 and 1999 there were net population outflows of 6,200 and 5,400 respectively.

Population ageing is continuing. Half of New Zealanders are now over 34.6 years of age, compared with a median age of 31.4 years in 1991. Children under 15 years now number 873,220 and make up 22.7 per cent of all New Zealanders, down from 23.1 per cent in 1991. People aged 65 years and over now total 457,730 and make up 11.9 per cent of all New Zealanders, up from 11.2 per cent in 1991.

The population estimates contained in this release were obtained by updating the 1996-base resident population (adjusted for census undercount and for residents temporarily overseas) for births, deaths and external migration during the ensuing period. Provisional population counts from the 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings (held 6 March) were released on 28 May 2001 and final counts will be released on 17 December 2001.

Brian Pink Government Statistician END

Provisional population of New Zealand on Census night was 3,792,654

For more information visit www.stats.govt.nz

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