100,000 Record Population Growth

100,000 Record Population Growth

14 August 2017 - New Zealand’s population grew by 100,400 in the year ended June 2017, the largest ever increase for a June year, Stats NZ said today. New Zealand’s estimated resident population was 4.79 million at 30 June 2017.

Net migration (arrivals minus departures) contributed 72,300 people to the growth, along with 28,100 from natural increase (births minus deaths).

New Zealand’s current gain from net migration equates to 15 people per 1,000 population. Much higher net migration rates were experienced in the late 1870s. Similar rates to today were also experienced in the early 1900s and early 2000s.

“Our current net migration rate is high by New Zealand standards, but historically it has fluctuated more than other countries,” population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said. “At the moment we’re experiencing rates similar to Australia's in 2009.”

“Most migrants are arriving on short-term work and student visas,” Mr Dolan said. “However, many of them extend their visas, or transition to other visa types including residence visas. It makes sense to count long-term stayers as part of our population, rather than as short-term visitors.”

See also Half of population growth in 15–39 age group.

ENDS

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