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NSW population data book

The Health of the people of New South Wales
Report of the Chief Health Officer

Download the NSW population data book

Summary

  • The estimated residential population of NSW in 2006 was 6,817,182. The population of NSW in 2026 is projected to be approximately 8,000,000.

  • The rate of growth of the NSW population is declining. Between 1996 and 2001 the average annual growth rate was approximately 1.17%. Between 2001 and 2006 the average growth rate was 0.73% per year, and it is projected to increase slightly to 0.80% per year between 2006 and 2026.

  • The NSW population continues to age. For the NSW population in 2001 the median age, or the age for which half the population are older and half are younger, was 36 years. In 2006 the median age was 37 years, and in 2026 the median age is projected to be 41 years.

  • In 2006 the female population slightly outnumbered the male population (98.2 males per 100 females); the gap will narrow slightly to 98.7 males per 100 females in 2026.

  • The proportion of females in the population increases with age. In 2006 females made up 55% of the NSW population aged 65 years or more, and 63% of the population aged 80 years or more.

  • The NSW population is predominantly urban. In 2006 approximately 73% of the NSW population lived in metropolitan areas, 20% lived in inner regional areas, and 7% in outer regional and remote areas.

  • In 2026 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.

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File link: NSW population data book
File size: &booksize
Type: Report
Date of Publication: &bookdate
Author Branch: Centre for Epidemiology & Research

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