Indians 2nd highest migrants in Australia

Melbourne, June 27

Indians have become the second highest number of migrants living in Australia since 2011, followed by people of Chinese origin, according to the latest census data.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics  released the latest figures of the country’s fast changing population and demographics — 13 lakh new migrants settled in Australia since 2011 from around 180 countries, including India and China.

Census 2016 recorded new migrants from India at 163,000 since 2011, emerging as the most common countries of birth of new arrivals after China at 191,000 new migrants. It updated Australia’s population at 2.44 crore in 2016 from over 2.15 crore in 2011.

Of all Australian residents, just more than a quarter (26 per cent) said they were born overseas, with England remaining the most common country of birth other than Australia. However, the census noted that for the first time, China, India, and the Philippines topped the list as the country of birth other than Australia for the Australian residents. The proportion of people born in China and India rose since 2011 from 6 per cent to 8.3 per cent, and 5.6 per cent to 7.4 per cent, respectively.

New South Wales remained the most populous state, with 74.8 lakh people counted, ahead of Victoria that has 59.26 lakh people and Queensland with 47.03 lakh people. However, the Australian Capital Territory experienced the largest population growth of any state or territory over the past five years, adding over 40,000 new residents, an increase of 11 per cent. 

While the majority of migrants are settled in Sydney and Melbourne, most Kiwis opted to call Queensland their home, with over one in three of the 98,000 New Zealanders who have arrived in Australia since 2011 settling in the Sunshine State. — PTI