Australia’s Foreign-Born Population Reaches Historic High
Australia has witnessed a historic surge in its foreign-born population, with the proportion reaching 30.7% in 2023, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This marks the highest level since 1891 when such data was first recorded.
The influx of foreign-born residents has been attributed to increased immigration, particularly from England, India, China, and New Zealand. In 2023 alone, the overseas-born population grew by almost half a million people.
England remains the primary source country for foreign-born Australians, with 962,000 residents. However, this number has slightly declined from a decade ago. India has emerged as the second largest group, with 846,000 residents, followed by China with 656,000.
New Zealanders have also made a significant contribution to Australia’s foreign-born population, with 598,000 residents. The Indian, Chinese, Nepali, and Filipino communities experienced notable growth between 2013 and 2023.
Global Context
Globally, an estimated 280.6 million people (3.6% of the global population) reside outside their country of birth. The United States has the largest foreign-born population, with over 50 million people (15.3%). Australia ranks ninth in terms of the number of foreign-born residents, but the proportion (29.9%) is higher than many other countries worldwide.
Demographic Trends
In addition to the overall increase in foreign-born residents, there have been some notable demographic trends:
– The median age of foreign-born Australians varies significantly, with Qataris having the youngest median age (15 years) and Latvians having the oldest (80 years).
– There is a gender imbalance in the Ni-Vanuatu and Thai foreign-born populations in Australia, with more men from Ni-Vanuatu and more women from Thailand.
The rise in Australia’s foreign-born population reflects the country’s strong immigration policies and its attractiveness as a destination for both skilled workers and international students. It is expected that the foreign-born population will continue to grow in the coming years, further diversifying Australia’s population.
