新西兰英语 523 Population statistics

 　　Statistics¹ New Zealand collects population numbers every year from 1st October to the end of September. The latest figures show that New Zealand’s population on September 30th was 4,414,400. This is equal to 0.06% of the world’s population. We have 33,500 more people than a year ago which is a growth rate of 0.8%. This is lower than usual, perhaps because more Christchurch people left New Zealand after the earthquakes.

　　Ten years ago our population was 3,895,400. The average growth for the last 10 years was 1.3% which is similar to the rest of the world. However, our median age is 36.8 whereas² the median age for the rest of the world is 29.2 (UN figures).

　　Although there are slightly more males than females⁴ born in the rest of the world (102 males for every 100 females), in New Zealand 97 males are born for every 100 females. Nobody knows why. However, in the age range 20 to 24, there are 107 males for every 100 females. In the age range 25 to 29, the numbers of male and female³ are nearly the same. Females outnumber males in their 30s. There are only 92 males to every 100 females aged⁵ 30 to 39 living in New Zealand.

　　The reason for this could be the large numbers of New Zealanders who live overseas. There are possibly 1 million New Zealanders living overseas, in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada and some other countries. It is possible that more men than women have jobs overseas. It is very hard to collect figures on the numbers living overseas.

　　New Zealanders love to travel. About 80,000 New Zealanders travel overseas on short trips every year and another 45,000 stay overseas for a longer time.

　　Vocabulary

　　Some useful words when talking about statistics: population numbers, figures, growth rate, average, median, slightly more than, nearly the same, whereas, age range, outnumber

　　Listen

　　There are many numbers in this text. Write them down then check with the text.

　　Questions

　　1.Many women choose not to get married and have a family when they are in their 20s. What is the problem for them in their 30s?

　　2.Can you explain why there are more men in their early 20s but fewer men in their 30s?

　　3.What are some of the problems for a country with a high median age?

1 statistics   

n.统计，统计数字，统计学

参考例句：

• We have statistics for the last year.我们有去年的统计资料。
• Statistics is taught in many colleges.许多大学都教授统计学。

2 whereas   

conj.而，却，反之

参考例句：

• They want a house,whereas we would rather live in a flat.他们想要一座房子，而我们宁愿住在一套房间里。
• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。

3 female   

adj.雌的，女(性)的；n.雌性的动物，女子

参考例句：

• We only employ female workers.我们只雇用女工。
• The animal in the picture was a female elephant.照片上的动物是头母象。

4 females   

n.雌性动物( female的名词复数 )；女人

参考例句：

• The male birds are more colourful than the females. 这种鸟雄性比雌性更加色彩艳丽。
• The males in the herd protect the females and the young. 兽中的雄性动物保护雌性动物和幼崽。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。