New Zealand Population: How Many People Live in New Zealand?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of New Zealand? The current New Zealand population is 5 338 500 people in 2024. New Zealand has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 2 371 800 people in 1960, the population has grown to 5 338 500 in 2023, representing a growth of 2 966 700 people (+125.1%).
The country reached its peak population of 5 338 500 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into New Zealand's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of New Zealand (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes New Zealand's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in New Zealand.
📊 New Zealand Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 371 800 | |
| 1970 | 2 810 700 | +438 900 (+18.5%) |
| 1980 | 3 112 900 | +302 200 (+10.8%) |
| 1990 | 3 329 800 | +216 900 (+7.0%) |
| 2000 | 3 857 700 | +527 900 (+15.9%) |
| 2010 | 4 350 700 | +493 000 (+12.8%) |
| 2020 | 5 090 200 | +739 500 (+17.0%) |
| 2024 | 5 338 500 | +248 300 (+4.9%) |
This table presents New Zealand's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of New Zealand without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of New Zealand (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2 371 800 | |
| 1961 | 2 419 700 | +47 900 |
| 1962 | 2 482 000 | +62 300 |
| 1963 | 2 531 800 | +49 800 |
| 1964 | 2 585 400 | +53 600 |
| 1965 | 2 628 400 | +43 000 |
| 1966 | 2 675 900 | +47 500 |
| 1967 | 2 724 100 | +48 200 |
| 1968 | 2 748 100 | +24 000 |
| 1969 | 2 772 800 | +24 700 |
| 1970 | 2 810 700 | +37 900 |
| 1971 | 2 853 000 | +42 300 |
| 1972 | 2 903 900 | +50 900 |
| 1973 | 2 961 300 | +57 400 |
| 1974 | 3 023 700 | +62 400 |
| 1975 | 3 083 100 | +59 400 |
| 1976 | 3 110 500 | +27 400 |
| 1977 | 3 120 200 | +9 700 |
| 1978 | 3 121 200 | +1 000 |
| 1979 | 3 109 000 | -12 200 |
| 1980 | 3 112 900 | +3 900 |
| 1981 | 3 124 900 | +12 000 |
| 1982 | 3 156 100 | +31 200 |
| 1983 | 3 199 300 | +43 200 |
| 1984 | 3 227 100 | +27 800 |
| 1985 | 3 247 100 | +20 000 |
| 1986 | 3 246 300 | -800 |
| 1987 | 3 274 400 | +28 100 |
| 1988 | 3 283 400 | +9 000 |
| 1989 | 3 299 200 | +15 800 |
| 1990 | 3 329 800 | +30 600 |
| 1991 | 3 495 100 | +165 300 |
| 1992 | 3 531 700 | +36 600 |
| 1993 | 3 572 200 | +40 500 |
| 1994 | 3 620 000 | +47 800 |
| 1995 | 3 673 400 | +53 400 |
| 1996 | 3 732 000 | +58 600 |
| 1997 | 3 781 300 | +49 300 |
| 1998 | 3 815 000 | +33 700 |
| 1999 | 3 835 100 | +20 100 |
| 2000 | 3 857 700 | +22 600 |
| 2001 | 3 880 500 | +22 800 |
| 2002 | 3 948 500 | +68 000 |
| 2003 | 4 027 200 | +78 700 |
| 2004 | 4 087 500 | +60 300 |
| 2005 | 4 133 900 | +46 400 |
| 2006 | 4 184 600 | +50 700 |
| 2007 | 4 223 800 | +39 200 |
| 2008 | 4 259 800 | +36 000 |
| 2009 | 4 302 600 | +42 800 |
| 2010 | 4 350 700 | +48 100 |
| 2011 | 4 384 000 | +33 300 |
| 2012 | 4 408 100 | +24 100 |
| 2013 | 4 442 100 | +34 000 |
| 2014 | 4 516 500 | +74 400 |
| 2015 | 4 609 400 | +92 900 |
| 2016 | 4 714 100 | +104 700 |
| 2017 | 4 813 600 | +99 500 |
| 2018 | 4 900 600 | +87 000 |
| 2019 | 4 979 200 | +78 600 |
| 2020 | 5 090 200 | +111 000 |
| 2021 | 5 111 300 | +21 100 |
| 2022 | 5 117 100 | +5 800 |
| 2023 | 5 245 000 | +127 900 |
| 2024 | 5 338 500 | +93 500 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for New Zealand from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand Population
What is the current population of New Zealand?
The population of New Zealand is estimated to be approximately 5 338 500 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of New Zealand growing?
New Zealand has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.28% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 2 966 700 people (+125.1%) over this 64-year period.
How does New Zealand's population compare to other countries?
New Zealand ranks #167 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 5 338 500 people, New Zealand accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of New Zealand changed over time?
Over the past decades, New Zealand's population has increased from 2 371 800 people in 1960 to 5 338 500 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 5 338 500 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of New Zealand?
New Zealand achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 2 371 800 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 5 338 500 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 5 338 500 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 2 371 800 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in New Zealand?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in New Zealand include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for New Zealand?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for New Zealand from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.