Australia Demographics

The Commonwealth of Australia is home to 20.6 million people, 2% of whom are Indigenous Australians. Immigration has defined the Australian narrative, and almost a quarter of the country’s residents were born overseas. After WWII, an entire continent’s worth of space needed to be filled, and formal legislation was passed as a means of doing so. The ensuing first wave of immigrants came primarily from Europe, the US, Turkey, and the former USSR. In recent years, Asians have immigrated to Australia in increasing numbers and currently account for about 7% of the Australian population.

Diversity. Today, multiculturalism as a planned government project for promoting diversity is regarded as a cornerstone of the Australian national identity. Yet as much as immigration and cultural integration have defined Australia’s history from the beginning, deep-seated racial tensions have become a reality and a widespread concern. From the beaches of Sydney to its inner-city neighborhoods, demonstrations against Muslim Australians—particularly those 300,000 of Lebanese descent—as well as widespread discrimination against Aboriginal groups have received international attention and caused a severe crisis of conscience in such a highly diverse nation.

Demographics. Australia’s population density is 2.6 people per sq. km. In comparison, the US averages 31 people per sq. km, and the UK a whopping 246. About 91% of Australians live in urban areas, and the suburbs are still growing. The vast majority live on or relatively near the coasts, particularly the east coast. The massive, inhospitable desert in the center of the country is perhaps the main reason for this coastal population concentration.

More Cultural Essentials in Australia

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