Latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show the district grew by 8%, or 3900 people, in the year to the end of June this year.
Selwyn, in Canterbury, had the second-highest increase at 5.2% and the Mackenzie District had an increase of 3.6%.
Dunedin’s population rose 1500 over the year — from 133,100 to 134,600.
The population of the Queenstown-Lakes District reached 52,800, from 48,900 last year and 42,500 in 2018.
Migration from overseas accounted for 64% of the increase, with another 28% from migration within New Zealand.
The Queenstown-Lakes District’s natural increase — births over deaths — amounted to 340.
The natural increase across the country of 19,100 was the lowest since World War 2.
Dunedin, with 190 more deaths than births, was one of 16 territorial authorities experiencing a natural decrease.
Massey University distinguished professor Paul Spoonley told the Otago Daily Times New Zealand was following the trend of countries like the United States and China, where populations were in decline.
"The whole population structure of countries is changing.
"People over 65 become the largest part of the community; not those under 15.
"A couple of years ago, we reached that tipping point."
Prof Spoonley said local authorities were not giving enough thought in their long-term plans to population.
"There’s no long-term understanding of populations.
"By the time we hit 2030, our population dynamics are going to be very, very different.
"I think our birth rate will continue to decline, and of course we have got this very large baby-boomer population which is arriving at the age of 65."
Queenstown-Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers said the increase was in line with his council’s own estimates and the 8% increase was "not surprising".
Asked if the increase was good or bad for the district, Mr Lewers said "I’d rather be having problems of growth rather than the opposite; negative growth".
Mr Lewers considered the district’s biggest issue was the projected growth in tourist numbers — hence its conversations with the government over a visitor levy.
Stats NZ media adviser Lennard Gui said the 8% growth in Queenstown-Lakes’ "estimated resident population" had only been exceeded in New Zealand once since 1996, and that was 9% recorded in Queenstown-Lakes in 2018.
Overall in the year to June this year, New Zealand’s population grew by 105,900 people (2.1%), compared with 5800 (0.1%) the previous year.
The Auckland region’s population rose by 47,000 (2.8%), driven by migration, and reversing a population loss last year.
