Key Points

• Between 1991 and 1996 the City’s total population increased by just over 21,000 people or 7.2 percent, from 292,858 to 313,969 people.
• During this period, Christchurch experienced the third highest numeric population growth in the country behind Auckland City and Manukau.
• The extent of population growth during the first half of this decade was largely the result of increases in overseas migration, including departing and returning New Zealand citizens and higher net migration from other parts of the country.
• Latest projections suggest the population will continue to grow over the next two decades however lower natural increase and net migration will lead to progressively slower population growth in the future.
• Building consent information suggests that significant population growth has occurred on the fringes of the City.