The population of Sydney, Australia's largest city, will hit almost 6 million people by 2036, a growth of 40 percent, the New South Wales state government said today.

The city, famed for its opera house and harbor bridge, will need an extra 636,000 houses to cope with the increase, Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally said in a statement.
Most of Sydney's growth, or 69 percent, will be driven by natural increases, such as a rising birth rate and longer life expectancy, while net migration will make up 31 percent.
``The new projections make it clear that New South Wales and Sydney will continue to play a pivotal role in the Australian economy,'' Keneally said.
The population of New South Wales will rise to 9.07 million from 6.82 million, an increase of 33 percent, according to the state government.
The biggest growth will be in the number of people aged 65 years and over, an increase of 111 percent. Life expectancy at birth is projected to rise to 85.6 years for men from 79.1, and to 89.1 years for women from 83.9.
(Source: bloomberg.com)