Embargoed until 10:45am – 8 November 2006

Population Reaches 4.15 million

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,151,600 at 30 September 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 43,500 (1.1 percent) in the September 2006 year, compared with 35,600 (0.9 percent) in the September 2005 year.

The higher population growth during the September 2006 year was due to a larger permanent and longterm migration gain and a larger natural increase (excess of births over deaths). Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 13,200 in the September 2006 year, compared with a net migration gain of 6,400 in the September 2005 year. Natural increase was 30,300 in the September 2006 year, which was 1,100 higher than that recorded in the September 2005 year (29,200).

At 30 September 2006, half New Zealand's male population was over the age of 35.0 years, and half the females were aged over 36.7 years. The median age increased by 2.8 years for men and 3.0 years for women between the 1996 and 2006 September years.

The age composition of New Zealand's population has changed over the last decade. Between the 1996 and 2004 September years, the number of children (aged 0–14 years) increased by 22,300 (2.6 percent) to reach 884,600. However, since 30 September 2004, the number of children has decreased by 9,400 (1.1 percent) to 875,300, resulting in an overall increase for the decade ended 30 September 2006 of 12,900 (1.5 percent). At 30 September 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 308,200 (12.6 percent) to 2,760,700 in 2006. The 65+ age group grew by 84,900 (19.7 percent) over the same period, to reach 515,700 at 30 September 2006.

At 30 September 2006, the median age of the population aged 15–64 years was 38.8 years, up from 36.4 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.

Geoff Bascand
Acting Government Statistician

ENDS

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