Work is already under way to address the fall in population in the island.

Earlier this year, the Census Report revealed a drop in population of more than 1,000 between 2011 and 2016, from 85,716 to 84,599, leading to calls for the government address the economic risk if the decline continues.

But new figures suggest a turnaround, it was revealed in Tynwald this week.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas said the government had a strategy and he aimed to have a report - Meeting our Population Challenges - before Tynwald by October.

’Work on the white paper has already begun,’ he said.

’For example the current survey of Manx graduates being undertaken by the Minister of Education (Graham Cregeen) will provide an important piece of evidence on why young people choose not to return to the island.

’Other work streams are looking at declining fertility rates, demographic changes and job creation. Other topics will also need to be considered I believe.’

He added: ’The most recent evidence published in the latest quarterly economic report is that the population is now growing at around 300 per annum.

’This is positive news, a move in the right direction. But we have challenges which we need to acknowledge and tackle.’

Mr Thomas said he had recognised the risks of population decline for a long time.

In 2015 he made a failed attempt to call on the then Council of Ministers to draw up a report on population policy.

At that time he argued that the Isle of Man could influence its demographic profile by population policy change. He said his views had not changed.