New Zealand continues to rise in population, although at a slower rate than in years past. By the end of the century, the population is estimated to level off around a peak of just over 6 million. Of course, with estimates so far into the future, changes in fertility rates or migration could dramatically alter these projections.
The current UN estimates have the population surpassing the 5 million person plateau towards the end of the next decade.
Like its neighbor Australia, New Zealand publishes its own online population clock and in late 2016, the estimated figure is shown as 4,723,562. Government statistics draw on their estimated levels of natural growth, and are slightly higher than the UN's estimates.
The New Zealand population clock projects from the June 2016 estimated population using the following factors:
New Zealand was actually losing citizens to migration as recently as 2012, but now has a significant positive net migration. This, coupled with the difference between births and deaths, contributes to a healthy rise in population that is expected to continue throughout the 21st century.
The most recent New Zealand census was taken in 2013. This census counted 4,242,048 people, up from 4,027,947 in 2006. This represents a 5.3% gain in the 7 years between censuses. The census is usually held every five years, but in 2011 New Zealand suffered from a major earthquake, which pushed the 2011 census back to 2013. The next census is scheduled to be taken in 2018.
The declining population is expected to continue in the years to come in New Zealand, but the population will still be growing- just at a slower rate. Current projections believe that the annual growth rate will peak in 2020 at 0.94% before gradually decreasing toward 0.34% in 2050. With growth rates this small, it is unlikely that New Zealand will see large changes in their numbers. The same set of predictions believe that the population of New Zealand will be 4,834,420 in 2020, 5,213,103 in 2030, 5,502,172 in 2040, and 5,711,484 by 2050.
| New Zealand Population (as of 10/15/2024) | 5,225,335 |
| Last UN Estimate (July 1, 2024) | 5,213,940 |
| Births per Day | 162 |
| Deaths per Day | 106 |
| Migrations per Day | 51 |
| Net Change per Day | 107 |
| Population Change Since Jan. 1 | 30,816 |
Net increase of 1 person every 13.45 minutes
Population estimates based on interpolation of data from World Population Prospects
| One birth every 8.88 minutes | |
| One death every 13.58 minutes | |
| One immigrant every 28.23 minutes | |
| Net gain of one person every 13.45 minutes |
City | 2024 Pop. |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 417,910 |
| Wellington | 381,900 |
| Christchurch | 363,926 |
| Manukau City | 362,000 |
| Waitakere | 208,100 |
| North Shore | 207,865 |
| Hamilton | 152,641 |
| Dunedin | 114,347 |
| Tauranga | 110,338 |
| Lower Hutt | 101,194 |
New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. There are two main islands: the North Island and the South Island, in addition to roughly 600 smaller islands. The total surface area within New Zealand comes in at 103,483 square miles (268,021 square kilometers) which ranks 76th in the world just in terms of size. Using the 2017 population of 4.794 million people, the population density is approximately 46 people per square mile (18 people per square kilometer) which ranks New Zealand 166th in the world in terms of population density.
A substantial 86.1% of people living in New Zealand live either in or around a major city. The two largest cities are both on the North Island. Auckland is the largest by far, with 1.45 million people living there. Auckland has two natural harbors and is the trade center of the country. It is also one of the most livable cities in the world. The second largest city is the nation's capital of Wellington with a population of 398,000. Wellington is built along a fault line that causes some of the worst traffic in thr country. On the South Island, the largest city is Christchurch with 382,000 people living within its limits. Other major cities include Hamilton (224,000), Tauranga (131,000), Napier-Hastings (130,000), Dunedin (117,000), and Palmerston North with 84,000.
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,213,940 | 0.88% | 20 | 125 | 196 |
| 2023 | 5,172,840 | 1.09% | 20 | 123 | 195 |
| 2020 | 5,069,900 | 1.61% | 19 | 121 | 195 |
| 2019 | 4,989,400 | 1.81% | 19 | 122 | 195 |
| 2018 | 4,900,850 | 1.83% | 19 | 122 | 195 |
| 2017 | 4,812,750 | 2.08% | 18 | 122 | 195 |
| 2015 | 4,614,030 | 1.2% | 18 | 124 | 197 |
| 2010 | 4,347,770 | 1.01% | 17 | 123 | 196 |
| 2005 | 4,135,010 | 1.4% | 16 | 123 | 194 |
| 2000 | 3,857,570 | 0.98% | 15 | 123 | 193 |
| 1995 | 3,674,430 | 1.58% | 14 | 122 | 191 |
| 1990 | 3,396,980 | 0.78% | 13 | 125 | 190 |
| 1985 | 3,268,030 | 0.76% | 12 | 121 | 190 |
| 1980 | 3,146,330 | 0.34% | 12 | 118 | 188 |
| 1975 | 3,094,030 | 1.86% | 12 | 113 | 186 |
| 1970 | 2,822,180 | 1.37% | 11 | 112 | 184 |
| 1965 | 2,636,490 | 2.07% | 10 | 110 | 184 |
| 1960 | 2,379,480 | 2.15% | 9 | 110 | 183 |
| 1955 | 2,139,670 | 2.28% | 8 | 110 | 181 |
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,213,940 | 0.88% | 20 | 125 | 196 |
| 2025 | 5,251,900 | 0.71% | 20 | 126 | 197 |
| 2030 | 5,407,350 | 0.58% | 21 | 125 | 199 |
| 2035 | 5,520,600 | 0.41% | 21 | 126 | 201 |
| 2040 | 5,617,290 | 0.35% | 21 | 125 | 201 |
| 2045 | 5,700,560 | 0.29% | 22 | 124 | 201 |
| 2050 | 5,755,290 | 0.19% | 22 | 123 | 202 |
| 2055 | 5,804,680 | 0.17% | 22 | 123 | 203 |
| 2060 | 5,833,200 | 0.1% | 22 | 124 | 202 |
| 2065 | 5,847,560 | 0.05% | 22 | 122 | 202 |
| 2070 | 5,859,040 | 0.04% | 22 | 121 | 203 |
| 2075 | 5,865,950 | 0.02% | 22 | 120 | 202 |
| 2080 | 5,864,590 | -0.01% | 22 | 122 | 202 |
| 2085 | 5,848,590 | -0.06% | 22 | 121 | 199 |
| 2090 | 5,836,500 | -0.04% | 22 | 121 | 198 |
| 2095 | 5,829,300 | -0.03% | 22 | 122 | 198 |
37.2
Total
36.4
Male
37.9
Female
There are people over age 18 in New Zealand.
Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2018 | March 2018 |
| 2013 | 5 March 2013 |
| 2006 | 7 March 2006 |
| 2001 | 6 March 2001 |
| 1996 | 5 March 1996 |
| 1991 | 5 March 1991 |
| 1986 | 4 March 1986 |
As far as demographics are concerned, the indigenous Maoris were overtaken in terms of numbers by European settlers as early as the 19th century. The 2013 census revealed that of the total population of over 4 million, 74% of citizens declared themselves to be of European descent. Maoris made up for 14.9% with those of Asian ethnicity contributing another 11.8%.
In terms of languages used within New Zealand, there are quite a few. They include English (de facto official language) 89.8%, Maori (de jure official) 3.5%, Samoan 2%, Hindi 1.6%, French 1.2%, Northern Chinese 1.2%, Yue 1%, other or not stated 20.5%, New Zealand Sign Language (official language). Many respondents use multiple languages which will create 100%+ sums in some of these notes.
The religions among the residents of New Zealand come in at Christian 44.3% (including Catholic 11.6%, Anglican 10.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 7.8%, Methodist, 2.4%, Pentecostal 1.8%, other 9.9%), Hindu 2.1%, Buddhist 1.4%, Maori Christian 1.3%, Islam 1.1%, other religion 1.4% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 38.5%, not stated or unidentified 8.2%, and those objected to answering came in at 4.1%.
The terms of GDP, the economy in New Zealand is the 53rd strongest in the world, much of which is dependent upon their foreign trade with countries like Australia, all of the European Union, the United States, China, South Korea, Canada, and Japan. Their proximity and the Closer Economic Relations agreement in 1983 brought the economies of New Zealand and Australia close together and they operate in very similar fashions.
New Zealand's government is a unitary parliamentary representative democracy, as well as a constitutional, hereditary monarchy. While the Prime Minister is the most important person in the day-to-day government, above them in the constitutional hierarchy is New Zealand's monarch, the British King or Queen. Therefore, King Charles III is the current Head of State in New Zealand, having succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Legislative power is divided between the king and the House of Representatives. Since the king is not often physically present, the Governor-General of New Zealand acts in his place. Executive power is more in the hands of the people and ministers for the House of Representatives are elected democratically.
New Zealand was occupied by the Polynesian people since roughly 1200-1300 AD, but not much is known about the people of this time. Abel Tasman from the Netherlands came to the south island in 1642 and dubbed the territory with its current name. The British began to inhabit the area in the early 1800s.
The British officially established their rule in 1840, much to the disdain of the indigenous people, causing nearly 30 years of civil disputes. New Zealand sent thousands to fight for the British in World War I, causing mass casualties. They were in a similar situation during World War II. Post World War II, New Zealand gained full independence from Britain in 1947.