Love and matrimony: So many can not find romance

So many single women looking for love could be out of luck, as a man lack turns severe.

2013 Census figures show the number of men to go around is at an all-time low - and it's particularly grim for those of a prime marrying age.

For every 100 women looking to snag a New Zealand gentleman aged between 25 and 49, on average about nine will miss out.

And on the Kapiti Coast the probability are even lower, with only 82 men for every 100 women.

If you're looking for a little older or younger guy the probability are better - 51 per cent of the total population is female.

No figures take into account sexual preference.

Paul Callister who is a Wellington economist and social researcher says the figures show New Zealand has yet to shake its man drought.

Historically, New Zealand has had the opposed problem. Kiwi men of the 1800s and early 1900s over and over again struggled to find a partner.

But since the 1980s there have been more female than male and the imbalance is now as bad as it's ever been.

Mr Callister says while the gender skewing is little overall, it's more severe for particular groups.

The gender difference was likely due to migration and an ageing population.

Immigrants, mainly from Asian countries, were more likely to be women. Conversely, Kiwis moving overseas, mainly to Australia, were more likely to be men.

Professor Philip Morrison, a demographer at Victoria University, says while more New Zealand boys are being born, they are also more likely to die young, added skewing the balance.

But a few women struggling to find the right man, or any man, could just be living in the wrong place. The gender one-sidedness varies markedly throughout the country.

The small central North Island district of Kawerau has the lowest amount of men between 25 and 49, followed closely by the Kapiti Coast.

On the other hand, the Clutha and Southland districts are among the few places where men outnumber women.

Men are more in all the major cities, with Christchurch coming closest to an even balance.

Mr Callister says there are generally a higher proportion of men in rural areas dependent on male-dominated industry, such as agricultural or mining.

Areas where the population was skewed more heavily towards women were more complex to explain.

Huge migrant populations and a high density of university students, which were more likely to be women, most likely played a part in some cities.