Population in North to top 1.8 million

The population in the North will top the 1.8 million mark next year.

It is projected to rise by 4% over five years, hitting 1.839 million by 2013, up 64,000 on the 1.775,000 of 2008, according to figures released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

In the longer term the population is projected to continue increasing to 1.946,000 by 2023 – up 10% or 171,000, compared with 2008.

The number of pensioners is set to increase markedly, by 11% in the next five years and over 40% in the next 15.

The increase in the population will be primarily due to natural growth rather then immigration – with a projected 55,000 more births than deaths between now and 2013.

However the agency said over the next six years about 10,000 more people would go to live in the province than leave. Beyond that migration would be broadly in balance with 500 more arriving each year than leaving.

The number of children in the province is projected to rise 4% from the 381,000 of 2008 to 398,000 by 2023.

Those of current working age is expected to rise 3% from 1,098,000 to 1,132,000 in 2023.