3.2 Demand Forecast 3.2.1 Population Growth Previous analysis of the four population census counts between 1991 -2006 coincided with a period of rapid economic growth in the Marlborough region. Overall growth in the region was approaching 2% per annum although there were some significant local variations. For instance the Waikawa area saw population rise by an average of 5.5% whilst the usual resident population of Seddon decreased by 0.8%. In 2014 a reassessment of population projections was undertaken and presented to the Council Assets and Services committee. The report extracted information from research by the University of Waikato, Institute of Demographic & Economic Analysis and early data released from the 2013 census. The report recognised some international trends with major national and regional implications in contrast to previous assumptions. There are two major trends in the demographics of developed countries that are unprecedented • Within a generation most developed (including New Zealand) and many developing countries in the world will be experiencing negative population growth. • The composition of the population will be have more older (65+) people. src: Institute of Demographic & Economic Analysis (Waikato Univ) 2012) This can also be seen in the following figure: src=http://www.stats.govt.nz//home/webapps/asp_au/data/asp/publications/nz-marlborough-district-council/july-2018/stormwater-asset-management-plan/media/Statistics/browse-categories/people-and-communities/geographic- areas/local-population-trends/local-pop-trends.xls. OCT 2014 Page 27