Population grows to 4.25 million

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,252,000 at 31 December 2007, Statistics NewZealand said today.

The population increased by 40,600 (1.0 percent) in the December 2007 year,compared with 50,400 (1.2 percent) in the December 2006 year.

Population growth during the December 2007 year was mainly due to a natural increase (excess of birthsover deaths) of 35,100.

Natural increase was higher in the December 2007 year than in the previousyear (31,500), because of a rise in the number of births.

Permanent and long-term arrivals exceededdepartures by 5,500 in the latest year, down from a net migration gain of 14,600 in the December 2006year.

At 31 December 2007, the median age for males was 35.4 years (half are younger, and half older, than thisage). The median age for the female population was 37.0 years.

The median age has increased 2.7 yearsfor males and 2.9 years for females between the 1997 and 2007 December years.

In the December 2007 year, the rate of population growth was highest in the 65 years and over age groupat 2.6 percent, followed by a 0.9 percent increase for the 15–64 year age group.

The number of children(aged 0–14 years) increased 0.1 percent in the same period.

In the ten years ended December 2007, thenumber of children has increased just 1.8 percent, compared with respective increases of 13.7 percent and21.4 percent for the 15–64 year and 65 years and over age groups