Population reaches 4.26 million

Embargoed until 10:45am – 9 May 2008

Population reaches 4.26 million

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,262,900 at 31 March 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 40,200 (1.0 percent) in the March 2008 year, compared with 46,700 (1.1 percent) in the March 2007 year.

Population growth during the March 2008 year was mainly due to a natural increase (excess of births over deaths) of 35,500. However, the population increased at a slower rate in the March 2008 year compared with the previous year, because of a fall in net migration. Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 4,700 in the latest year, down from a net migration gain of 12,100 in the March 2007 year.

At 31 March 2008, the median age for males was 35.4 years (half are younger, and half older, than this age). The median age for the female population was 37.1 years. The median age has increased 2.7 years for males and 2.9 years for females between the 1998 and 2008 March years.

In the March 2008 year, the rate of population growth was highest in the 65 years and over age group at 2.4 percent, followed by a 1.0 percent increase for the 15–64 year age group. The number of children (aged 0–14 years) increased 0.1 percent in the same period. In the ten years ended March 2008, the number of children has increased just 1.5 percent, compared with respective increases of 13.8 percent and 21.6 percent for the 15–64 year and 65 years and over age groups.

Geoff Bascand

Government Statistician

9 May 2008

ENDS

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