Further slowing of population growth

National Population Estimates - June 1999 quarter

New Zealand's resident population was estimated to have been 3,808,700 at 30 June 1999, the Deputy Government Statistician Dianne Macaskill said today. This represents an increase of 17,800 or 0.5 per cent over the 30 June 1998 figure. This growth rate is about two-fifths of the 1.3 per cent average annual growth rate of the previous five years.

A turnaround in the external migration balance has been the main factor in the slower growth. Permanent and long-term departures exceeded arrivals by 11,400 during the June 1999 year, compared with a small migration gain of 500 in the June 1998 year. Over the same period, natural increase (excess of births over deaths) dropped slightly from 29,400 to 29,100.

During the June 1999 quarter, there was an estimated increase in population of 1,300 or under 0.1 per cent. This resulted from a natural increase of 6,700, and a net loss of 5,400 through permanent and long-term migration. In the June quarters of 1998 and 1997, the estimated population increases were higher at 2,700 and 5,700 respectively. The smaller population growth in the June 1999 quarter was due mainly to the larger negative migration balance, and partly to a smaller natural increase. In the June quarters of 1998 and 1997 there were net population outflows of 4,300 and 2,000 respectively.

The number of women compared to the number of men in the New Zealand population continues to slowly increase. As at 30 June 1999, there were 103 women per 100 men. The median age of the population (half the population is older than this age) is now 34.1 years, up 1.1 years on 1996 and up 2.6 years on 1991.

Dianne Macaskill DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN 11 August 1999

© Scoop Media