Australian population hits 25 million

Overcrowding and added pressure on cities are being flagged in heated debates across Australia as its population numbers crossed the 25 million milestone mark. These figures have also shone a spotlight on skilled migration to Australia programmes, where the Government is now encouraging existing and new migrants to settle down in local areas. According to Australia’s Statistics Bureau, the population is currently increasing at the rate of one individual being added every eighty seconds. While the population grew by more than three hundred thousand the previous year, it is estimated that more than fifty percent was attributed to immigrants on Skilled Visas. Where does Australia stand in comparison to other populated countries? How will these figures affect the current population debate you ask? Read on to find out.

Encouragement to settle down in regional areas

Statistics on country’s growing population revealed that many who migrate to Australia, almost 90 percent, were settling down in Sydney or Melbourne. These increased numbers on Australia’s two populous and largest cities, the government fears, would in the long term lead to pressures on infrastructure and the cities. Heads of government are now aiming to encourage or impose conditions on migrants as to where they could settle down. However, Australia’s economic success is due mainly to its migrant population, as more individuals flock from China, New Zealand, UK, and India. Live births in Australia only amounted to 30 percent of the population increase, indicating the considerable contribution to the economy by migrants.

Where is Australia placed among other countries internationally?

Australia’s latest population figures place it at the fifty-third place of most populated countries. The country’s population is now similar to the likes of those in the Ivory Coast, Madagascar, and North Korea. However, as Australia is the sixth largest country, in comparison it remains underpopulated when taking its geographical land mass into consideration.

How are these figures perceived through the country’s population debate?

There are many schools of thought and theories as to how these figures could affect Australia’s population. In truth, Australia’s population rate grew exponentially when it opened its doors to skilled workers. There are those who believe that a growing population will drive the country’s economy especially since the nation’s live birth rates are small. The other way of looking at population growth is through its impact on cities, contributing to congestion and infrastructure pressure. However, the more populous regions are limited to specific areas. More than 60 percent of the country’s population is concentrated in five cities while forty percent is based in only two -Sydney and Melbourne. With that said plenty of little towns in the country waiting for skilled migrants.  It is believed that rather than halt migration altogether, better population distribution methods could effectively ease out pressure on the larger cities in the long run.