8.2 Drivers of infrastructure demand - population and economy
As shown in Table 91, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) projects that the NT population will reach approximately 316,700 in 2031 based on a medium level projection (Series B) - an increase of 85,400 people, or 37 per cent, from 2011. The NT Government's projection of 320,000 is broadly in line with the ABS forecast.520
Gross State Product (GSP) is projected to increase from $17.4 billion to $34.8 billion (in 2011 dollars), an increase of approximately 100 per cent, from 2011 to 2031. This represents an average annual growth rate of 3.52 per cent per year. The NT's share of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rise slightly.
Table 91: Projected population and economic growth for Northern Territory
| 2011 | % of National | 2031 | % of National | Increase % 2011-31 | |
| Population (persons) | 231,292 | 1.0% | 316,657 | 1.0% | 37% |
| Gross State Product ($m) | 17,449 | 1.2% | 34,833 | 1.3% | 100% |
Source: ACIL Allen Consulting (2014a)521
As shown in Figure 108, the NT population outside Darwin is projected to grow slightly faster than Darwin. Darwin is projected to grow by 32 per cent between 2011 and 2031, to a population of 170,200 by 2031, while the balance of the NT is forecast to grow by 43 per cent in the same period, to a population of 146,500.522
Figure 108: Population projections for the Northern Territory - 2011 to 2031
|
|
|
Greater Darwin
Balance of 
Total Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013c)523
________________________________________________________________________________________
520. Northern Territory Department of Treasury and Finance (2014)
521. Gross State Product is in 2010-11 prices.
522. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013c)
523. Series B (medium level) projections.