🇳🇿 New Zealand Population 2026
As of 2026, the population of New Zealand is 5,287,479, ranking #126 in the world (0.06% of the global population), based on UN World Population Prospects 2024. The population is growing at 0.65% per year. The biggest city is Auckland with 1,547,200 inhabitants.
Live estimate
5,288,060
Growth rate
0.65%
Density
20
people / km² (52 / mi²)
Median age
38.0
Fertility rate
1.64
births per woman
Life expectancy
82.5
years
New Zealand population 1950–2100
By 2050, the population of New Zealand is projected to reach 5,755,288, and 5,812,294 by 2100. The population is expected to peak in 2078 at 5,867,370, then decline.
New Zealand population by year
| Year | Population | Growth | Density /km² | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5,287,479 | 0.65% | 20.0 | 38.0 |
| 2025 | 5,251,899 | 0.70% | 19.8 | 37.7 |
| 2024 | 5,213,944 | 0.75% | 19.7 | 37.5 |
| 2023 | 5,172,836 | 0.83% | 19.5 | 37.3 |
| 2022 | 5,131,734 | 0.77% | 19.4 | 37.1 |
| 2021 | 5,107,696 | 0.17% | 19.3 | 36.8 |
| 2020 | 5,069,895 | 1.32% | 19.1 | 36.5 |
| 2019 | 4,989,402 | 1.89% | 18.8 | 36.3 |
| 2018 | 4,900,847 | 1.69% | 18.5 | 36.2 |
| 2017 | 4,812,752 | 1.94% | 18.2 | 36.2 |
| 2016 | 4,714,770 | 2.18% | 17.8 | 36.3 |
| 2015 | 4,614,029 | 2.14% | 17.4 | 36.4 |
| 2014 | 4,522,983 | 1.84% | 17.1 | 36.5 |
| 2013 | 4,453,851 | 1.24% | 16.8 | 36.5 |
| 2012 | 4,411,676 | 0.67% | 16.7 | 36.4 |
| 2011 | 4,382,700 | 0.65% | 16.5 | 36.1 |
| 2010 | 4,347,770 | 0.95% | 16.4 | 35.9 |
| 2009 | 4,304,304 | 1.06% | 16.2 | 35.7 |
| 2008 | 4,261,824 | 0.92% | 16.1 | 35.4 |
| 2007 | 4,223,266 | 0.90% | 15.9 | 35.1 |
| 2006 | 4,181,940 | 1.07% | 15.8 | 34.8 |
| 2005 | 4,135,007 | 1.19% | 15.6 | 34.5 |
| 2004 | 4,083,910 | 1.30% | 15.4 | 34.2 |
| 2003 | 4,022,586 | 1.73% | 15.2 | 34.0 |
| 2002 | 3,951,118 | 1.86% | 14.9 | 33.8 |
| 2001 | 3,891,762 | 1.16% | 14.7 | 33.6 |
| 2000 | 3,857,574 | 0.60% | 14.6 | 33.3 |
| 1999 | 3,835,555 | 0.55% | 14.5 | 33.0 |
| 1998 | 3,811,371 | 0.72% | 14.4 | 32.6 |
| 1997 | 3,776,950 | 1.10% | 14.3 | 32.2 |
| 1996 | 3,729,378 | 1.44% | 14.1 | 31.9 |
| 1995 | 3,674,428 | 1.53% | 13.9 | 31.6 |
| 1994 | 3,621,030 | 1.40% | 13.7 | 31.3 |
| 1993 | 3,573,610 | 1.24% | 13.5 | 31.0 |
| 1992 | 3,532,244 | 1.09% | 13.3 | 30.7 |
| 1991 | 3,480,925 | 1.84% | 13.1 | 30.4 |
| 1990 | 3,396,979 | 3.06% | 12.8 | 30.1 |
| 1989 | 3,333,826 | 0.68% | 12.6 | 29.8 |
| 1988 | 3,316,026 | 0.39% | 12.5 | 29.4 |
| 1987 | 3,299,443 | 0.61% | 12.5 | 29.1 |
| 1986 | 3,281,508 | 0.48% | 12.4 | 28.8 |
| 1985 | 3,268,028 | 0.34% | 12.3 | 28.4 |
| 1984 | 3,249,828 | 0.78% | 12.3 | 28.1 |
| 1983 | 3,219,278 | 1.11% | 12.2 | 27.8 |
| 1982 | 3,185,123 | 1.02% | 12.0 | 27.5 |
| 1981 | 3,159,840 | 0.57% | 11.9 | 27.2 |
| 1980 | 3,146,327 | 0.28% | 11.9 | 26.9 |
| 1979 | 3,141,600 | 0.02% | 11.9 | 26.5 |
| 1978 | 3,142,244 | -0.06% | 11.9 | 26.2 |
| 1977 | 3,140,133 | 0.19% | 11.9 | 25.8 |
| 1976 | 3,126,633 | 0.67% | 11.8 | 25.5 |
| 1975 | 3,094,032 | 1.43% | 11.7 | 25.3 |
| 1974 | 3,041,231 | 2.02% | 11.5 | 25.1 |
| 1973 | 2,978,988 | 2.12% | 11.2 | 24.9 |
| 1972 | 2,919,258 | 1.93% | 11.0 | 24.8 |
| 1971 | 2,867,165 | 1.67% | 10.8 | 24.7 |
| 1970 | 2,822,177 | 1.49% | 10.7 | 24.6 |
| 1969 | 2,784,400 | 1.20% | 10.5 | 24.6 |
| 1968 | 2,754,526 | 0.95% | 10.4 | 24.7 |
| 1967 | 2,723,420 | 1.32% | 10.3 | 24.8 |
| 1966 | 2,682,582 | 1.71% | 10.1 | 24.8 |
| 1965 | 2,636,494 | 1.76% | 10.0 | 24.9 |
| 1964 | 2,588,770 | 1.89% | 9.8 | 25.1 |
| 1963 | 2,538,115 | 2.06% | 9.6 | 25.4 |
| 1962 | 2,484,405 | 2.22% | 9.4 | 25.7 |
| 1961 | 2,429,747 | 2.23% | 9.2 | 26.1 |
| 1960 | 2,379,480 | 1.95% | 9.0 | 26.5 |
| 1959 | 2,333,482 | 1.96% | 8.8 | 26.8 |
| 1958 | 2,284,994 | 2.25% | 8.6 | 27.1 |
| 1957 | 2,233,688 | 2.30% | 8.4 | 27.4 |
| 1956 | 2,184,843 | 2.12% | 8.2 | 27.6 |
| 1955 | 2,139,672 | 2.05% | 8.1 | 27.7 |
| 1954 | 2,095,141 | 2.15% | 7.9 | 27.9 |
| 1953 | 2,047,751 | 2.42% | 7.7 | 28.0 |
| 1952 | 1,997,747 | 2.52% | 7.5 | 28.2 |
| 1951 | 1,951,206 | 2.19% | 7.4 | 28.3 |
| 1950 | 1,911,263 | 1.94% | 7.2 | 28.4 |
| Year | Population | Growth | Density /km² | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5,320,870 | 0.61% | 20.1 | 38.3 |
| 2028 | 5,351,829 | 0.55% | 20.2 | 38.6 |
| 2029 | 5,380,596 | 0.52% | 20.3 | 38.9 |
| 2030 | 5,407,349 | 0.47% | 20.4 | 39.2 |
| 2031 | 5,432,482 | 0.45% | 20.5 | 39.5 |
| 2032 | 5,456,116 | 0.41% | 20.6 | 39.8 |
| 2033 | 5,478,626 | 0.41% | 20.7 | 40.1 |
| 2034 | 5,500,066 | 0.37% | 20.8 | 40.4 |
| 2035 | 5,520,602 | 0.37% | 20.8 | 40.7 |
| 2036 | 5,540,789 | 0.36% | 20.9 | 40.9 |
| 2037 | 5,560,355 | 0.35% | 21.0 | 41.1 |
| 2038 | 5,579,887 | 0.35% | 21.1 | 41.3 |
| 2039 | 5,599,002 | 0.33% | 21.1 | 41.5 |
| 2040 | 5,617,290 | 0.32% | 21.2 | 41.6 |
| 2041 | 5,635,786 | 0.34% | 21.3 | 41.7 |
| 2042 | 5,654,120 | 0.31% | 21.3 | 41.8 |
| 2043 | 5,670,996 | 0.28% | 21.4 | 41.9 |
| 2044 | 5,686,324 | 0.26% | 21.5 | 42.0 |
| 2045 | 5,700,556 | 0.24% | 21.5 | 42.1 |
| 2046 | 5,713,450 | 0.21% | 21.6 | 42.2 |
| 2047 | 5,724,904 | 0.19% | 21.6 | 42.3 |
| 2048 | 5,735,774 | 0.19% | 21.7 | 42.4 |
| 2049 | 5,745,458 | 0.15% | 21.7 | 42.5 |
| 2050 | 5,755,288 | 0.19% | 21.7 | 42.7 |
| 2051 | 5,766,716 | 0.20% | 21.8 | 42.8 |
| 2052 | 5,776,883 | 0.15% | 21.8 | 43.0 |
| 2053 | 5,786,036 | 0.17% | 21.8 | 43.2 |
| 2054 | 5,795,602 | 0.16% | 21.9 | 43.3 |
| 2055 | 5,804,685 | 0.15% | 21.9 | 43.5 |
| 2056 | 5,812,284 | 0.11% | 21.9 | 43.7 |
| 2057 | 5,818,438 | 0.10% | 22.0 | 43.8 |
| 2058 | 5,824,138 | 0.10% | 22.0 | 44.0 |
| 2059 | 5,829,186 | 0.08% | 22.0 | 44.2 |
| 2060 | 5,833,202 | 0.06% | 22.0 | 44.3 |
| 2061 | 5,835,532 | 0.02% | 22.0 | 44.5 |
| 2062 | 5,838,140 | 0.07% | 22.0 | 44.6 |
| 2063 | 5,841,093 | 0.03% | 22.0 | 44.7 |
| 2064 | 5,843,778 | 0.06% | 22.1 | 44.9 |
| 2065 | 5,847,555 | 0.07% | 22.1 | 45.0 |
| 2066 | 5,851,514 | 0.07% | 22.1 | 45.1 |
| 2067 | 5,854,647 | 0.04% | 22.1 | 45.2 |
| 2068 | 5,856,667 | 0.03% | 22.1 | 45.3 |
| 2069 | 5,858,088 | 0.02% | 22.1 | 45.5 |
| 2070 | 5,859,042 | 0.01% | 22.1 | 45.6 |
| 2071 | 5,859,404 | 0.00% | 22.1 | 45.7 |
| 2072 | 5,861,376 | 0.07% | 22.1 | 45.8 |
| 2073 | 5,863,972 | 0.02% | 22.1 | 45.9 |
| 2074 | 5,865,190 | 0.02% | 22.1 | 46.0 |
| 2075 | 5,865,952 | 0.01% | 22.1 | 46.1 |
| 2076 | 5,866,355 | 0.01% | 22.1 | 46.1 |
| 2077 | 5,867,112 | 0.02% | 22.1 | 46.2 |
| 2078 | 5,867,370 | -0.01% | 22.1 | 46.2 |
| 2079 | 5,866,464 | -0.02% | 22.1 | 46.3 |
| 2080 | 5,864,587 | -0.04% | 22.1 | 46.3 |
| 2081 | 5,862,554 | -0.03% | 22.1 | 46.4 |
| 2082 | 5,860,148 | -0.06% | 22.1 | 46.4 |
| 2083 | 5,856,304 | -0.07% | 22.1 | 46.4 |
| 2084 | 5,852,208 | -0.06% | 22.1 | 46.5 |
| 2085 | 5,848,588 | -0.06% | 22.1 | 46.5 |
| 2086 | 5,845,302 | -0.05% | 22.1 | 46.5 |
| 2087 | 5,842,301 | -0.05% | 22.1 | 46.6 |
| 2088 | 5,840,476 | -0.01% | 22.0 | 46.6 |
| 2089 | 5,838,569 | -0.05% | 22.0 | 46.7 |
| 2090 | 5,836,503 | -0.02% | 22.0 | 46.8 |
| 2091 | 5,835,193 | -0.03% | 22.0 | 46.8 |
| 2092 | 5,834,279 | -0.01% | 22.0 | 46.9 |
| 2093 | 5,832,854 | -0.04% | 22.0 | 47.0 |
| 2094 | 5,830,910 | -0.02% | 22.0 | 47.1 |
| 2095 | 5,829,301 | -0.03% | 22.0 | 47.1 |
| 2096 | 5,827,050 | -0.04% | 22.0 | 47.2 |
| 2097 | 5,824,250 | -0.05% | 22.0 | 47.3 |
| 2098 | 5,820,746 | -0.07% | 22.0 | 47.3 |
| 2099 | 5,816,636 | -0.07% | 22.0 | 47.4 |
| 2100 | 5,812,294 | -0.08% | 21.9 | 47.5 |
States & provinces of New Zealand by population
| # | State / province | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | 1,816,000 | 34.3% |
| 2 | Canterbury | 698,200 | 13.2% |
| 3 | Wellington | 543,400 | 10.3% |
| 4 | Waikato | 532,100 | 10.1% |
| 5 | Bay of Plenty | 351,500 | 6.6% |
| 6 | Manawatu-Wanganui | 260,700 | 4.9% |
| 7 | Otago | 253,900 | 4.8% |
| 8 | Northland | 201,100 | 3.8% |
| 9 | Hawke's Bay | 179,700 | 3.4% |
| 10 | Taranaki | 130,300 | 2.5% |
| 11 | Southland | 104,800 | 2.0% |
| 12 | Tasman District | 59,900 | 1.1% |
| 13 | Nelson City | 54,300 | 1.0% |
| 14 | Gisborne District | 52,700 | 1.0% |
| 15 | Marlborough District | 50,800 | 1.0% |
| 16 | West Coast | 34,700 | 0.7% |
| 17 | Chatham Islands Territory | 620 | 0.0% |
State populations: GeoNames (latest official figures, reference dates vary by country).
Biggest cities in New Zealand
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | Auckland | 1,547,200 |
| 2 | Christchurch | Canterbury | 419,200 |
| 3 | Wellington capital | Wellington Region | 381,900 |
| 4 | Manukau City | Auckland | 362,000 |
| 5 | Hamilton | Waikato Region | 192,100 |
| 6 | Tauranga | Bay of Plenty | 161,000 |
| 7 | Dunedin | Otago | 132,800 |
| 8 | Lower Hutt | Wellington Region | 114,200 |
| 9 | Palmerston North | Manawatu-Wanganui | 90,500 |
| 10 | New Plymouth | Taranaki Region | 90,100 |
| 11 | Hastings | Hawke's Bay Region | 88,300 |
| 12 | Napier | Hawke's Bay Region | 66,400 |
| 13 | Rotorua | Bay of Plenty | 65,901 |
| 14 | Porirua | Wellington Region | 61,500 |
| 15 | Invercargill | Southland | 58,000 |
FAQ
What is the population of New Zealand in 2026?
The population of New Zealand is 5,287,479 in 2026, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 (medium variant).
What is the biggest city in New Zealand?
Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand with 1,547,200 inhabitants; the capital is Wellington.
Is the population of New Zealand growing or shrinking?
The population of New Zealand is growing at 0.65% per year, and is projected to peak in 2078 at 5,867,370.
Sources
- Country data: United Nations World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- City and state data: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
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