Northern Territory population growth

About population growth

Estimated resident population is the Australian Bureau of Statistics' official measure of people who usually live in each state or territory. Quarterly updates start from the Census population base and add natural increase, net overseas migration and net interstate migration, which are shown as the wider four-series family on these pages. The newest estimates are preliminary because births, deaths and migration records arrive on different schedules. They are revised as registration data matures, traveller and administrative information is updated, and after each Census through rebasing and intercensal adjustments. Component estimates may therefore change even when the broad population direction does not. Estimated resident population is not a live headcount, a count of citizens, a measure of housing demand or a statement about infrastructure capacity. Migration components are net flows, so they conceal larger movements in both directions. The series describe past demographic change and do not forecast future population, rents, employment or public-service needs.