NB population dropping

New Brunswick's population has dwindled by about 9,000 people in the last five years, according to new census figures released Tuesday.

The province saw its population fall from 738,000 to 729,000 between 1996 and last year. That's a decline of 1.2 percent.

2001 Census figures: Population and dwelling counts

Saint John bucked the national trend of increasing city populations, dropping in size by 2.4 percent or 3,800 people.