Population growth increases

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,315,800 at 30 June 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 46,900 (1.1 percent) in the June 2009 year, compared with 40,600 (1.0 percent) in the June 2008 year.

Although the main contribution to population growth during the June 2009 year came from natural increase (excess of births over deaths), the higher growth compared with the June 2008 year was due to increased net migration. Natural increase contributed 34,400, down 1,400 on the previous June year. Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 12,500 in the latest year, up from a net migration gain of 4,700 in the June 2008 year.

At 30 June 2009, the median age for males was 35.5 years (half are younger, and half older, than this age). The median age for the female population was 37.4 years. The median age increased 2.3 years for males and 2.7 years for females in the 10 years ended June 2009.

The age composition of New Zealand's population has changed over the past decade, due to population ageing. The proportion of children (aged 0–14 years) has fallen from 23 percent to 21 percent, while the proportion of people aged 15–39 years has fallen from 37 percent to 34 percent. In contrast, the proportion aged 40–64 has increased, from 29 percent to 32 percent, and the proportion of people aged 65 years and over is also up, from 12 percent to 13 percent. The rising proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is expected to continue, a trend also occurring in other countries.

Geoff Bascand 14 August 2009
Government Statistician