Canterbury – fewer smokers and religious people, more construction

4 February 2014

Latest results from the 2013 Census show that the Canterbury region saw a drop in the number of smokers, a rise in the number of construction workers, and a drop in religious affiliation since the 2006 Census.

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2, released today, gives an interesting impression of the Canterbury region and its districts.

“For instance, there was a large drop in the number of smokers in Canterbury. The proportion of adults in the region who smoke regularly fell from 19.0 percent in 2006 to 14.6 percent last year. This equates to 14,997 fewer people across the region regularly smoking,” Census General Manager Sarah Minson said.

Among people aged 15–19 years the change was particularly significant. In last year’s census, 10.8 percent of 15–19-year-old Cantabrians reported being regular smokers. That’s down from 18.2 percent in 2006, representing a decrease of 2,784 young people.

In line with national trends, the number of people who affiliate with a religion dropped in Canterbury since 2006. In last year’s census, 9.6 percent fewer people identified with a religion and 25.3 percent more people checked the ‘no religion’ box.

One of the expected developments in Canterbury was the increase in the number of people working in the construction industry, which can be attributed to the rebuild following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

The total number of Canterbury residents working in the construction industry increased 53.8 percent since 2006. In 2013, the industry accounted for 11.2 percent of the employed population (up from 7.6 percent in 2006), and was the region’s second-largest, just behind manufacturing.

“This local breakdown of census information is some of the most important, as it will help communities and service providers plan for the future,” Ms Minson said. “Providers of local services such as health, education, community, and recreational facilities can use census data to form a picture of the region and what it needs to succeed.”

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2 has more information on topics such as religion, relationship status, occupation, and smoking.

ENDS

© Scoop Media