The table below shows information about the population of New Zealand from 2011 to 2012 by age group. Summarize the formation by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The table depicts data on New Zealand's population by age

group

in two separate years - 2011 and 2012.

Overall

, it is apparent that the number of NZ residents moderately increased, with a majority of the population aged 15-39,

while

the 65+

group

experienced the most striking rise. In 2011, the proportion of people of all ages living in NZ was approximately 4381000, with a major part being people aged 15-39 (1577000). Followed were the 40-64

group

standing at just under 1332000, the under 15 category with the figure at around 898000, and the elderly

group

aged 65+ at about 574000. In 2012, the

overall

population was 4410284, which was a 0.6% increase from the previous year's figure. There was an observable rise in the number of inhabitants aged 40 and over, with a +0.6% increase for the 40-64

group

and the most striking +4.0% jump for the 65+

group

.

In contrast

, the younger age groups, the under 15 and 15-39, experienced a decline of 0.2%, standing at 896364 and 1574102 in 2012, respectively.