New Zealand’s population climbed to an estimated 5.33 million by 30 September 2025, according to new data from Stats NZ. The figure includes 2.69 million women and 2.65 million men, with women having a median age of 39.1 years and men 37.5 years.
According to a report by Stuff, over the past year, the country added 32,900 people, reflecting a modest 0.6% growth rate. Most of this increase, about 20,500 people or 62%, came from natural population growth. But even with this contribution, the number of births and deaths both declined during the year.
New Zealand recorded 57,393 live births, slightly fewer than the previous year’s 58,047. Deaths also dropped to 37,386, down from 37,941. The fertility rate slipped further to 1.55 births per woman, indicating that fewer women are having children, and the rate remains well below what is needed to replace the population, Stuff reported.
Despite fewer births, the infant mortality rate rose, increasing to 5.44 deaths per 1000 live births from 4.86 the year before, an upward shift that health experts are likely to watch closely.
The remaining 38% of the population growth, around 12,400 people, was due to net migration, as the number of arrivals continued to outpace departures, reported Stuff.
In the September 2025 quarter, the population grew by another 12,700 people, a 0.2% increase. Natural growth contributed 4100, while net migration added 8700, Stuff reported.
The latest figures show a country experiencing steady but subdued population growth, shaped by lower fertility, fewer births, and rising infant mortality, trends partly offset by continued migrant arrivals.