POPULATION DECREASE

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 4

POPULATION DECREASE

Record Number Of Births According to the annual statistical report on population for 1941-42, which has just been issued, the estimated population of New Zealand at March 31 last showed, for the second year in succession, the unusual feature of a decrease. This amounted to 1892, being equivalent to 0.12 per cent, of the population at the beginning of the 12monthly period. In the preceding 12 months there had been a decrease of 4671, or 0.28 per cent. The cause in each case was the departure of troops overseas, the same experience having occurred in the war of 1914-18.

The estimated total population of New Zealand proper at March 31, 1942, was 1,634,338, including 93,680 Maoris. At September 30, 1942, however, according to later figures in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics, it had increased to 1,651,818, including 95,225 Maoris. Dealing only with the population exclusive of Maoris, the decrease during the year ended March 31 amounted to 3324, or 0.22 per cent. The ratio of natural increase (excess of births over deaths) for the year showed a further improvement over the level of recent years, due to a substantial increase in the number of births. Births registered in 1941-42 reached the record total of 35,236, and the birth rate, 22.91 per 1000 of mean population, was the highest for 20 years. The 1940-41 birth rate was 22.12, and the number of births, 35,145, also a record.

The Maori population, although also affected by the departure overseas of troops, recorded a gain of 1432, or 1.55 per cent. The Maori birth rate, 43.67, showed a decrease on the 1940-41 figure, 46.26, but was still nearly double the European rate. In 1940-41 the Maori rate did not show the marked rise then exhibited by the European rate. It is explained in the latest report that members of overseas forces who may be in New Zealand are not counted in the population totals. The net gain from external migration was 209 passengers, and there was an excess of 935 in crew arrivals. Total passenger arrivals, 7102, were the lowest for more than 80 years, and departures, 6893, were the lowest since 1879. Inter-island sea and air passenger traffic resulted in a gain of 10,776 persons to the North Island.

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