On Air Night Flight | Midnight - 6:00am

Census shows young people leaving Island

Population drops by more than 1,100 in five years

Renewed efforts will be made to expand the Island's working population, after official confirmation of a drop in those contributing to the economy.

The results of the 2016 Census published this morning (9 March), show the Island's population has fallen by more than 1,100 in the past five years, down by 1.4%.

A much sharper drop in those working of 2,000 is a blow for government, which says a bigger population is vital, to pay taxes which fund public services and care for the elderly.

According to the Census, young people in their 20s are leaving the Island in their droves - with the number coming to live here dwarfed by those emigrating.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas says it's a challenging picture - but work is already under way to address key issues: 

More from Isle of Man News