We are growing older at a faster rate in Whanganui.
Well, not quite - but our ageing population is outstripping the younger generation more quickly than in many parts of New Zealand.
Statistics New Zealand spokesman Peter Dolan told the Chronicle that "due to our population's changing age structure, which is a result of fewer births and more deaths, population growth will slow in the long term".
He said deaths were expected to outnumber births in Whanganui by 2033, and more than 30 per cent of the population would then be over 65.
The figures show Whanganui's population will decrease over the next three decades - though not by as much as earlier estimates.
New population projections from Statistics NZ show the population of the Whanganui district will decrease by 1000 people over 30 years. The previous projections, from 2015, predicted a decrease of 3300 for Whanganui by 2043.
"New Zealand has been experiencing record high levels of net migration, with more arrivals than departures," Mr Dolan said.
"Our projections have been updated to reflect that."
The influx of 71,000 immigrants into New Zealand has altered the projections for most regions.
The population of the wider Manawatu-Whanganui region was predicted to rise by 0.2 per cent a year until 2043.
There would be an extra 16,400 people in the wider region, despite the expected population decrease in Whanganui.
Palmerston North - which has the fourth youngest population of any district in New Zealand - would see its population rise by 17,200 over that period, off-setting the fall in Whanganui.
The low population projection for Whanganui was likely due to its older population, Mr Dolan said.
The Ruapehu district was expected to lose more than 3000 people over the next 30 years.