New Zealand Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
New Zealand's population growth was 1.64% in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's population growth stood at 1.64% in 2025, a decline of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.64% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 71st globally.
New Zealand’s population grew by 1.64 percent in 2025, placing the country 71st globally, a modest pace compared with its own historical fluctuations and with peers such as Turkmenistan (1.65 percent) and Papua New Guinea (1.66 percent). Over the 64‑year series, the growth rate has declined from an early‑period high of 2.54 percent in 1962 to a rare negative reading of –0.39 percent in 1979, reflecting the impact of the late‑1970s economic slowdown and restrictive immigration policies. Since the early 2000s, the rate has hovered between 1.5 and 2.0 percent, driven by relatively high net migration and natural increase, but the recent 1.64 percent figure signals a slight deceleration from the 2.00 percent level recorded in 1961. Continued tightening of immigration rules or a sustained decline in fertility could further curb growth, while policy shifts that encourage skilled migration would be required to sustain or accelerate the upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.90% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.77% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.64% | −0.03pp | #71 |
| 2024 | 1.67% | −0.63pp | #152 |
| 2023 | 2.30% | +2.36pp | #176 |
| 2022 | -0.06% | −0.30pp | #44 |
| 2021 | 0.24% | −1.79pp | #67 |
| 2020 | 2.03% | +0.62pp | #167 |
| 2019 | 1.41% | −0.38pp | #123 |
| 2018 | 1.79% | −0.30pp | #148 |
| 2017 | 2.09% | −0.16pp | #159 |
| 2016 | 2.25% | +0.21pp | #165 |
| 2015 | 2.04% | +0.38pp | #151 |
| 2014 | 1.66% | +0.89pp | #138 |
| 2013 | 0.77% | +0.22pp | #83 |
| 2012 | 0.55% | −0.21pp | #72 |
| 2011 | 0.76% | −0.35pp | #87 |
Analysis
New Zealand's population growth was 1.64% in 2025, a decline of −0.03pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 1.64% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's population growth was 1.64% in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from the previous year.
New Zealand's population growth peaked at 2.54% in 1962.
The lowest population growth in New Zealand was -0.39% in 1979.
New Zealand ranks 71st globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's population growth is projected to reach 1.64% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of New Zealand in 2025 was 1.64%. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_population-growth,
title = {New Zealand Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}