Immigration boosts population to 4.15 million

This represents a population increase of 43,500 (1.1%) in the September 2006 year, compared with 35,600 (0.9%) in the September 2005 year.

The higher population growth during the September 2006 year was due to a larger permanent and long-term migration gain and a larger natural increase (excess of births over deaths).

Permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 13,200 in the September 2006 year, compared with a net migration gain of 6,400 in the September 2005 year.

Natural increase was 30,300 in the September 2006 year, which was 1,100 higher than that recorded in the September 2005 year (29,200).

 The median age increased by 2.8 years for men and 3.0 years for women between the 1996 and 2006 September years.