Population Reaches 4.14 Million

9 August 2006

Population Reaches 4.14 Million

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,140,300 at 30 June 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 41,400 (1.0 percent) in the June 2006 year, compared with 37,400 (0.9 percent) in the June 2005 year.

The higher population growth during the June 2006 year was due to a larger natural increase (excess of births over deaths) and a larger permanent and long-term migration gain. Natural increase was 30,700 in the June 2006 year, 1,900 higher than that recorded in the June 2005 year (28,900).

Permanent and longterm arrivals exceeded departures by 10,700 in the June 2006 year, compared with a net migration gain of 8,600 in the June 2005 year. At 30 June 2006, half New Zealand's female population was over the age of 36.7 years and half the males were over 34.9 years. The median age increased by 3.1 years for women and 2.8 years for men between the 1996 and 2006 June years.

The age composition of New Zealand's population has changed over the last decade. Between the 1996 and 2006 June years, the number of children (0–14 years) grew by 16,100 (1.9 percent).

However, since 30 June 2004 the number of children has decreased by 9,700 (1.1 percent), to 875,600 at 30 June 2006. At 30 June 2006, children accounted for 21.1 percent of the New Zealand population. In comparison, the population aged 15–64 years accounted for 66.5 percent of the population at this time.

During the last decade, this age group increased by 309,300 (12.7 percent) to 2,751,700 in 2006. The 65+ age group grew by 82,900 (19.3 percent) over the same period, to reach 513,000 at 30 June 2006. At 30 June 2006, the median age of the population aged 15–64 years was 38.8 years, up from 36.3 years in 1996. Similarly, the median age of those aged 65 years and over increased from 73.4 to 74. 2 years over the same decade.

Brian Pink Government Statistician

ENDS

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