The number of people who live in the Isle of Man has fallen the census, published today, shows.

The resident population on census night in April 2016 was 83,314 - 1.4 per cent lower than the figure in 2011. The economically active population decreased to 42,777 from 44,609.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said he believed there were signs that the population was now increasing again.

He said: ’The economy grew by more than 15 per cent in real terms between 2011 and 2015, for example, but this was also a period of changing employment patterns and that may help to explain at least some of the movement in population.’

Government estimates indicate an increase of around 200 in the overall population since the census was taken nearly one year ago.

Today’s Manx Independent reports more about the census and the implications for the island of an ageing population.