NI Population Expands

The number of people living in Northern Ireland has increased - by 17,500 people - or 1%.

The Statistics and Research Agency said today that, between mid-2006 and mid-2007 the size of the resident population in Northern Ireland at 30 June 2007 is estimated to be 1.759 million people.

The 1% increase in population between July 2006 and June 2007 is estimated to be as a result of the several factors, and not just natural growth - of 9,100 people - or 23,800 births and 14,700 deaths.

It also came about because of a 'net migration gain' in Northern Ireland of 9,800 people with some 32,300 people arriving in Northern Ireland to live and 22,500 leaving while there was also a net loss of 1,400 troops stationed in Northern Ireland.

In the three years from 2004 to 2007, the Province has seen a net migration gain of 26,000 people, equivalent to around 1.5% of the population or a town the size of Coleraine.

In contrast, a decade earlier, from 1974 to 1977, Northern Ireland witnessed a net migration loss of 28,000 people.

Responding to the findings a NISRA spokesperson said: "Between July 2006 and June 2007 Northern Ireland's population grew by over 17,000 people.

"Northern Ireland has seen significant migration since European Union expansion in 2004 and migration now contributes marginally more to population growth in Northern Ireland than natural change."

(BMcC)