NZ population growing

[color=green:0e5ede96f1][b:0e5ede96f1]Population reaches 4.13 million [/b:0e5ede96f1][/color:0e5ede96f1]
12 May 2006

The population of New Zealand has increased to 4.13 million in the past year, according to Statistics New Zealand (SNZ). The resident population increased by 40,900 (1 per cent) to 4,134,200 in year to the end of the March 2006. This increase compared with a rise of 38,900 (1 per cent) in the year to March 31 2005.

The population growth this year was due to a larger natural increase (excess of births over deaths). Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 9700 in the year to March 2006, slightly lower than the net migration gain of 10,000 in the March 2005 year.

At March 31, 2006, half of New Zealand's female population was over the age of 36.6 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 1996 and 2006.

The age composition of the New Zealand population has changed in the past 10 years. The number of children (0-14 years) grew by 18,900 (2.2 per cent) to 876,600 between 1996 and 2006. As of March 31, 2006, children made up 21.2 per cent of the New Zealand population.

The 65-plus age group grew by 80,500 (18.8 per cent) to 509,400 at March 31, 2006.

- NZPA