AUSTRALIA'S MIGRATION RENAISSANCE: A LOOK AT THE NEW FACES CALLING DOWN UNDER HOME
Australia has long been a melting pot of cultures, and recent data suggests this trend is only accelerating. Glenn Capuano, Census sage, unveils the latest insights into where our newest neighbours hail from.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) now provides annual population estimates by country of birth, a welcome update between the five-yearly censuses. The latest numbers reveal that a record-breaking 30.7% of Australians were born overseas—the highest since the 1890s! This impressive figure marks a stark contrast to the mid-20th century, when only about 10% of the population was foreign-born. The post-WWII migration boom played a significant role in this growth, and despite a slight dip during the 2021 pandemic, the trend has been predominantly upward.
In the fiscal year of 2022-23 alone, a staggering 528,000 individuals moved to Australia, signaling a robust recovery from the travel restrictions of COVID-19. This surge has been captured in the latest ERP figures, providing a snapshot of our evolving demographic landscape.
Top Migrant Sources: A New Order Emerges
The newest data points to significant changes in the origins of Australian residents. India, already a major contributor to Australian diversity, has added an impressive 133,760 people, a 19% increase. This rapid growth puts India on track to surpass the UK as the most common birthplace outside Australia. With the UK breaking down into its constituent nations in the statistics, India is just a breath away from taking the lead.
China and the Philippines follow, with substantial increases of their own. Meanwhile, countries like Nepal and Bhutan are emerging as significant new sources of migrants. Bhutan, in particular, has seen its Australian community more than double in the last two years, representing nearly 4% of its total population.
The Shifting Sands of Migration
While some communities grow, others are witnessing declines. The UK, Italy, and Greece are seeing their numbers dwindle, primarily due to the aging of post-WWII migrant populations and the natural decrease that follows.
This dynamic shift highlights the ever-changing face of Australia, underscoring its ongoing role as a vibrant, multicultural hub. However, for more localized insights, we will have to wait until the 2026 Census. Until then, these broad strokes paint a compelling picture of a country continually reshaped by new waves of migrants, each adding their unique threads to the rich tapestry of Australian society.
Stay tuned as we continue to track these trends and explore the stories of new Australians making their mark on our community. Whether from the bustling streets of Mumbai or the tranquil Himalayas of Bhutan, each journey enriches the narrative of this great nation.
Josh Pagotto
