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NZ population reaches 4.12 million
07 February 2006

The population of New Zealand has increased to 4.12 million in the past year, according to Statistics New Zealand.

The resident population increased by 37,000 (0.9 per cent) to 4,120,900 at December 31, 2005.

This increase compared with a rise of 44,500 (1.1 per cent) in the year to December 31, 2004.

The lower population growth last year was due to a fall in net permanent and long-term migration, SNZ said.

Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 7000 in the year to December 31, 2005, compared with a net migration gain of 15,100 during the December 2004 year.

Natural increase (excess of births over deaths) was 30,000 in 2005, slightly higher than that recorded in 2004 (29,400).

At December 31, 2005, half of New Zealand's female population was over the age of 36.5 years and half of the males were over the age of 34.8 years. The median age increased by 3.1 years for women and 2.8 years for men between 1995 and 2005.

The age composition of the New Zealand population has changed in the past 10 years.

The number of children (0-14 years) grew by 22,100 (2.6 per cent) to 876,600 between 1995 and 2005.

As at December 31, 2005, children made up 21.3 per cent of the New Zealand population.

The 65-plus age group grew by 79,200 (18.6 per cent) to 505,800 over the same period.