Report of the NSW Chief Health Officer: NSW population

Report of the
New South Wales Chief Health Officer

Table of contents
Chapter introduction
On this page:
Commentary
Print version

The estimated residential population of NSW in 2005 was 6,804,522. The population of NSW in 2025 is projected to be approximately 7,960,000.
The rate of growth of the NSW population is declining. Between 1995 and 2000 the average annual growth rate was approximately 1.15%. Between 2000 and 2005 the average growth rate was 0.96% per year, while it is projected to decline to 0.79% per year between 2005 and 2025.
The NSW population continues to age. For the NSW population in 2000 the median age, or the age for which half the population are older and half are younger, was 35 years. In 2005 the median age was 36 years, while in 2025 the median age is projected to be 41 years.
In 2005 the female population slightly outnumbered the male population. In 2025 males are projected to slightly outnumber females.
The proportion of females in the population increases with age. In 2005 females made up 55% of the NSW population aged 65 years or more, and 64% of the population aged 80 years or more.
The NSW population is predominantly urban. In 2001 approximately 71% of the NSW population lived in metropolitan areas, 21% lived in inner regional areas, and 8% in outer regional and remote areas.
In 2025, Sydney will remain the dominant population centre in NSW. Most growth in Sydney will occur to the west and south west of the city. The population of most local government areas along the NSW coast will increase, while the population of most inland areas of NSW will decline.

Print version:	Although this page can be printed directly from your Web browser, a higher quality version of this entire page (graph, table and text) is available as an Acrobat PDF file which can be printed or viewed on screen using free software.
Copyright notice:	This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Suggested citation:	Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/chorep/dem/dem_hlt.htm. Accessed (insert date of access).
Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	16 November 2006