The latest census in the Cook Islands shows that while there's been an increase in the country's overall population there are large numbers leaving the outer islands.
The census was carried out on December 1st 2006 and shows an eight point six percent increase over five years to a population of 19,569.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wilkie Rasmussen, says however a breakdown of the numbers show the natural growth is small.
"The migrants take up two percent of that and of course the tourist takes up about four percent, and we're left with about two point six percent for Cook Islanders."
The natural increase of 368 has contributed to the overall growth from the 2001 census figures of 18,027.
