Australian Consulate-General, Guangzhou
Media Release PD 20/07 Date:4 July 2007
2006 Census Highlights Changing Face of Australia
On 27 June 2007, the Australian Treasurer the Hon Peter Costello MP released the results of the 2006 Australian Census.
The Census forms the basis for Australia’s electoral system, the provision of services and policy to meet the challenges that Australians face.
Australians are living longer, the proportion of the population of retirement age is increasing, women outnumber men.
Over the last five years Australia’s population has increased around 1.3 million with natural increase (births less deaths) a little over 600,000 and immigration (less emigration) a little under 600,000.
Here are some of the findings of Census 2006:-
The average age in Australia is 37 years old, compared to 34 in 1996.
The most common family type is a couple with children. The average number of children living in a couple family with children under 15 is 2.16.
Females continue to outnumber males in 2006 – for every 100 females there were 97 males.
The proportion of people born overseas remained unchanged since 1996 at 22 per cent. In addition to this, 18 per cent of people born in Australia had at least one parent born overseas, so over 40 per cent of the population was either born overseas or had a parent born overseas.
Since 1996 the groups which increased the most in number were those born in
New Zealand (~98,000), China (~96,000), and India (~70,000). The most common foreign language spoken at home is Chinese (Cantonese 1.2%, Mandarin 1.1%), followed by Italian (1.6%), and Greek (1.3%).
The median household income range in 2006 was $1000-$1199 per week. This is higher than the 1996 median of $600-$699 per week; in 2006 dollars this was $778-$906 per week.
Ageing population
Even though Australia's population continues to grow, 2006 Census data illustrates that it is ageing. The age group of under 15s decreased as a proportion of all people from 20.8 per cent to 19.8 per cent over the last five years.
The 2006 Census also illustrates the proportion of working age people, those aged 15 to 64 years, remained relatively stable between 2001 and 2006. However the number aged 55 to 64 years experienced a large increase in numbers. This age group increased as a proportion of the total population from 9 per cent to 11 per cent.
By 2047, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will almost double to 25 per cent. Projected population data shows that the next decade will experience a shrinking of the working population. For example, there are currently 5 people of working age to support each person aged 65 and over. By 2047, there will be only 2.4 people to every person aged 65 and over.
This will affect labour force demographics. Although Australia's population is growing, the proportion of those at working age is projected to decrease. This is partially because there will be larger numbers of people moving into retirement age, and smaller numbers entering the labour force.
As people live longer and healthier lives they are able to participate as productive workers for a longer period. A flexible labour force allows those who are able to continue working in the workforce to do so if they wish.
Birth Rates
Ever since the early 1960s Australia’s birth rate has been trending downwards, a phenomenon it has had in common with practically every developed country in the world.
Australia introduced a number of pro-family and pro-baby policies, including a baby bonus and increased family payments. Mr Costello has given moral encouragement to families to have more children - “one for mum, one for dad, and one for the country.”
The 2006 Census shows that there has been a turnaround in the number of births in Australia.
Preliminary figures show that the number of births in Australia in 2006 was 266,000 - the highest number since 1971 and the second highest in Australian history.
Mr Costello thinks that the improvement in the number of births reflects a greater sense of economic security for families, with more people in work than ever before.
The greater number of parents willing to have families, and have larger families, is a vote of confidence in Australia's future.
Population 21 million
Using data from the 2006 Census, the ABS' preliminary population estimates at 30 June 2006 was 20.7 million people. This is an increase of 1.3 million people since 2001 and 2.4 million people since 1996.
There are two key components that make up Australia's population growth; natural increase and net overseas migration – between 2001 and 2006 they contributed almost equally.
Using the 2006 Census results, the ABS calculates that Australia will reach a population of 21 million in two days time, the 29th of June. Mr Costello said he welcomes the achievement of this “Turning 21”. He has a view that as a big country Australia still has room to expand and fulfil our country’s potential.
For further information, contact Ellen Chen, Public Affairs Officer on（020）3814 0183.