SCDHB

Population Statistics

Untitled document

Areas where South Canterbury is significantly different from the New Zealand average include:

4th smallest DHB population at 55,318 (1.29% of NZ population according to 2006 Census).
Ethnic groups are 78.9% European (NZ 64.8%), 16.5% New Zealander (NZ 10.6%), Māori 5.9% (3159 people; NZ 14.6%), 0.8% Pacific (447 people; NZ 6.6%), 1.5% Asian (792 people; NZ 8.8%).
High percentage of older people. 18% of people are aged 65+ (NZ average 12%) and, consistent with global trends, there is a predicted rapid increase in the number of older people. Our 85+ age group has been predicted to increase 77% by 2021.
50% of population lives in rural areas (less than 10,000 population).
9% of our population (NZ 21%) are in deciles 9 and 10, the two most socio-economically deprived groups. This is equal lowest in NZ. However, South Canterbury has a lower than average per capita income due to a lower percentage of people in the higher socio-economic groups.
Household overcrowding is the lowest in New Zealand at one-third the NZ rate, including low rates for local Māori.

Population Change

Between 2001 and 2006 the South Canterbury DHB population increased by 2.1%. The fastest growth rate was in Mackenzie District (2.3%), followed by Timaru District (2.1%). Waimate District had the slowest growth rate (1.5%).
Population estimates suggest that the child and youth populations decreased slightly between 2001 and 2006, but during the same time period there was significant growth among the older adult population (40-64) and older people (65+).
Population estimates show that the Māori population in the South Canterbury DHB area increased at a faster rate than the non-Māori population between 2001 and 2006. The growth in the Māori population was fastest for people aged 65 years or more followed by people aged 40-64.
Population projections show that the overall population of South Canterbury DHB is expected to be about the same in 2026 as it was in 2006. The Māori population is expected to increase by 45% during this period compared with a projected reduction of 3% for non-Māori.
For the overall population, a reduction in the population is expected for all age groups under 65 years, and an increase is expected for people aged 65 or more.
The rate of population growth is expected to be fastest among the oldest age groups for both Māori and non-Māori.