Population counts and estimates overview

Introduction

There are three main population measures produced by Statistics New Zealand:

  1. census night population count
  2. census usually resident population count
  3. estimated resident population.

It is important that users are aware which population measure has been used when comparing data from different sources.

Census night population count

For example: 3,820,749 at 6 March 2001

This is a count of all people present in New Zealand, or in an area of New Zealand, on a given census night. This count:

  • includes visitors from overseas
  • excludes residents who are temporarily overseas on census night.

Census usually resident population count

For example: 3,737,280 at 6 March 2001

This is a count of all people who usually live in New Zealand, or in an area of New Zealand, and are present in New Zealand on a given census night. This count:

  • excludes visitors from overseas
  • excludes residents who are temporarily overseas on census night.

Residents who are away from their usual address on census night are allocated back to the area where they usually live and form part of the census usually resident population count of that area.

Estimated resident population

For example: 3,880,500 at 30 June 2001

This is an estimate of all people who usually live in New Zealand, or in an area of New Zealand, at a given date. This estimate is based on the census usually resident population count, which excludes visitors from overseas, adjusted to include:

  • residents who are temporarily overseas on census night
  • residents who are missed or counted more than once by the census (net census undercount)
  • births, deaths and net migration (arrivals less departures) of residents during the period between census night and the given date.

Counts and estimates are different

The estimated resident population is not directly comparable with the census counts. Census counts give a snapshot of the population, and are not adjusted for net census undercount or residents who are temporarily overseas.

The Census of Population and Dwellings is a five-yearly survey providing a wealth of data for: small geographic areas; variables such as occupation and country of birth; and families, households and dwellings.

The estimated resident population is updated regularly for population changes due to births, deaths and net migration. It gives the best measure of the population that usually lives in an area, for a limited range of variables (age, sex, ethnicity), and limited geographic areas.

Note

Note that the explanations above are non-standard descriptions only. For standard definitions, please refer to the Standard for Population Terms or email: info@stats.govt.nz.