The Isle of Man has seen a rise in population, according to government statistics.

The latest quarterly economic report to the Council of Ministers compiled by the government’s economic affairs division was released today.

Covering the period October 1 to December 31, the document says the island’s population grew 300 compared with the corresponding period in 2016.

Of that number, 130 are aged below 65.

Six hundred more people are in work compared with a year earlier and 244 fewer people registered as unemployed.

A press release says: ’Inflation has put pressure on the value of earnings and income recently.’

Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas MHK said: ’We always need the robust and reliable official statistics which this quarterly update provides, especially at times like this.

’Not only do they provide the basis for sound public policy but also give confidence to those outside government that challenges are being acknowledged and tackled.’

The last census, published in March 2016, revealed the first fall in the island’s population since 1986.

It also showed significant move of young people away from the island and confirmed the population was naturally declining, with deaths greater than births and a growing number of older people.

Between 2011 and 2016, the number of people living in island dropped from 84,497 to 83,314.

The over-65 population is expected to increase from 17,205 at the time of the 2016 census to at least 22,453 by 2036, an increase of 30%.

That has major implications in terms of the cost of care for the elderly and a probably higher tax burden for the working population.