As the global population crossed 8 billion this week, New Zealand's growth is continuing to experience a marked slowdown.
The world's population was estimated by the UN to have hit 8 billion on Tuesday, with China and India accounting for more than a third of the total.
New Zealand, meanwhile, was the world's 123rd most populous country, according to Nations Online.
But New Zealand's annual population growth was just 0.2 percent in the year to September, Stats NZ figures released on Thursday showed. That compared with 2.3 percent in the 12 months to September 2016.
In addition, New Zealand's total fertility rate - children per woman - fell to 1.65 in the latest figures, from 1.66 in 2021 and 2.19 in 1991.
Readily available contraceptives and rising choice for women in work and education have contributed to the decline in fertility rates, experts have said.
The national population estimates released on Thursday showed New Zealand had a population of nearly 5.13 million, consisting of more than 2.54 million men and 2.58 million women - with respective median ages of 37.1 and 37.9.
Stats NZ said there were 38,052 deaths in the 12 months to September - an increase of 10 percent on the same time last year.
Meanwhile, data released last week by Stats NZ showed the country had registered a net migration loss of 8400 in the year to September 2022.
"The net migration loss of 8400 in the September 2022 year was made up of a net loss of 12,700 New Zealand citizens, which more than offset a net gain of 4200 non-New Zealand citizens.
"This is consistent with migration patterns before the COVID-19 pandemic, where New Zealand usually had an annual net loss of New Zealand citizens and an annual net gain of non-New Zealand citizens.
"COVID-19-related travel and border restrictions introduced in early 2020 disrupted usual migration patterns and resulted in net gains of New Zealand citizens, and net losses of non-New Zealand citizens," Stats NZ said.
