The Northern Ireland population will exceed 1.8 million next year, according to data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
It is projected to rise by 4 per cent over five years, hitting 1.839 million by 2013, up 64,000 on the 1.775,000 of 2008, the figures released today show.
In the longer term the population is projected to continue increasing to 1.946,000 by 2023, a rise of up 10 per cent or 171,000, compared with 2008.
The number of pensioners is set to increase markedly, by 11 per cent in the next five years and over 40 per cent in the next 15.
There are 296,000 people of current pensionable age and that is set to rise to 416,000 by 2023, rise of a 41 per cent jump. However the increase in the age at which women can get a state pension will rise from 60 to 65 during the period, meaning there will be a rise of 20 per cent in actual pensioners.
It is projected that the number of people over 65 will double by 2041. It will mean the age profile of the entire population will gradually become older, up from the current 37.6 years to 40.4 years in 2023.
As people live longer mortality rates are projected to improve by 1 per cent a year.
The increase in the population will be primarily due to natural growth rather then immigration, with a projected 55,000 more births than deaths between now and 2013.
However the agency said over the next six years about 10,000 more people would go to live in the province than leave. Beyond that migration would be broadly in balance with 500 more arriving each year than leaving.
The number of children is projected to rise 4 per cent from the 381,000 of 2008 to 398,000 by 2023.
Those of current working age are expected to rise 3 per cent from 1,098,000 to 1,132,000 in 2023.
PA
