3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2011 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/03/2012   
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MAIN FEATURES COMMENTARY


AUSTRALIA: POPULATION AND GROWTH

The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 30 September 2011 was 22,696,000 persons. This is an increase of 319,600 persons since 30 September 2010 and 77,700 persons since 30 June 2011. The annual population growth rate for the year ended 30 September 2011 was 1.4%. This reflects a decline from the peak of 2.2% for the year ended 31 December 2008, followed by a steady decline until 31 December 2010 after which it has remained steady at 1.4% for the last four quarters.

ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE(a), Australia
Graph: ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE(a), Australia



COMPONENTS OF POPULATION CHANGE

The growth of Australia's population has two components: natural increase (the number of births minus the number of deaths) and net overseas migration (net overseas migration).

The contribution to population growth for the year ended 30 September 2011 was higher for net overseas migration (54%) than for natural increase (46%).

COMPONENTS OF ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH(a), Australia
Graph: COMPONENTS OF ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH(a), Australia



Natural Increase

Natural increase for the year ended 30 September 2011 was 147,100 persons, a decrease of 1.5%, or 2,200 persons, when compared with natural increase for the year ended 30 September 2010 (149,400 persons). This decrease is due to an increase in the number of deaths partly offset by a slight increase in the number of births.

Births

The preliminary estimate of births for the year ended 30 September 2011 (294,300 births) was 0.6%, or 1,800 births, higher than the figure for the year ended 30 September 2010 (292,500 births).

Deaths

The preliminary estimate of deaths for the year ended 30 September 2011 (147,200 deaths) was 2.8%, or 4,000 deaths, higher than the figure for the year ended 30 September 2010 (143,100 deaths).


Net Overseas Migration

For the year ended 30 September 2011, Australia's preliminary net overseas migration estimate was 172,500 persons. This was 2.0% (3,500 persons) lower than the net overseas migration estimated for the year ended 30 September 2010 (176,000 persons).

NOM arrivals increased by 1% (3,400 persons) between the years ended 30 September 2010 (425,600 persons) and 30 September 2011 (429,000 persons). This goes against a continuing decline in NOM arrivals since the peak of 536,000 persons recorded for the year ended 31 December 2008.

NOM departures increased by 3% (6,900 persons) between the years ended 30 September 2010 (249,500 persons) and 30 September 2011 (256,500 persons).

The preliminary net overseas migration estimate for the September quarter 2011 (44,700 persons) was 5% (2,200 persons) higher than the estimate for the September quarter 2010 (42,500 persons).


STATES AND TERRITORIES: POPULATION AND GROWTH

The estimated resident population for each state and territory at 30 September 2011 was as follows:
  • New South Wales 7,317,500;
  • Victoria 5,640,900;
  • Queensland 4,599,400;
  • South Australia 1,659,800;
  • Western Australia 2,366,900;
  • Tasmania 511,000;
  • Northern Territory 231,200; and
  • Australian Capital Territory 366,900.

All states and territories recorded positive population growth in the year ended 30 September 2011. Western Australia continued to record the fastest growth rate of all states and territories with 2.6%. Tasmania and the Northern Territory recorded the slowest growth rate at 0.5%.


COMPONENTS OF POPULATION CHANGE

At the state and territory level, population growth has three components: natural increase, net overseas migration and net interstate migration.

Although all states and territories experienced positive population growth in the year ended 30 September 2011, the proportion that each of these components contributed to population growth varied between the states and territories.

For the year ended 30 September 2011, natural increase was the major component of population change in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland and net overseas migration was the major component of population change in Western Australia, followed by New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Net interstate migration losses were recorded in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.


Natural Increase

Estimates of births and deaths are subject to fluctuations caused by lags or accumulations in the reporting of birth and death registrations (for more information see paragraphs 10-11 of the Explanatory Notes).

Births

The total number of births registered for the year ended 30 September 2011 increased in all states and territories, except for New South Wales, when compared with the previous year. New South Wales recorded a decrease of 2.3% (2,200 births) since the year ended 30 September 2010. The largest percentage increase of registered births was recorded in the Northern Territory at 6.7% (250 births). For more information, see table 13.

Deaths

The total number of deaths registered for the year ended 30 September 2011 increased for all states and territories, except for Western Australia, when compared with the previous year. Western Australia recorded a minor decrease in deaths for year ended 30 September 2011 with a decrease of 0.1% (10 deaths). The largest percentage increase was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory at 5.5% (90 deaths). For more information, see table 14.


Net Overseas Migration

All states and territories recorded positive net overseas migration (NOM) for the year ended 30 September 2011. However, when compared to the previous year, all states and territories, except for Western Australia, recorded a decrease in net overseas migration. Proportionally, the Northern Territory recorded the largest decrease with net overseas migration 35% (400 persons) down on the previous year. Western Australia recorded an increase of 26% (7,100 persons). For more information, see table 16.

NOM arrivals

When compared to the year ended 30 September 2010, all states and territories, except for South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, recorded increases in NOM arrivals. The largest percentage decrease was recorded by South Australia at 15% (3,500 persons). Western Australia recorded an increase of 12% (6,700 persons). For more information, see table 16.

NOM departures

When compared to the year ended 30 September 2010, all states and territories, except for Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory recorded increases in NOM departures. The largest percentage increase was recorded by the Northern Territory at 11% (370 persons). The largest percentage decrease was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory at 6% (350 persons). For more information, see table 16.


Net Interstate Migration

Queensland recorded the highest gains from net interstate migration (NIM) for the year ended 30 September 2011 (8,100 persons). Other states and territories which recorded net gains were Western Australia (7,000 persons), Victoria (3,600 persons) and the Australian Capital Territory (1,400 persons). Net losses from interstate migration were recorded in New South Wales (14,800 persons), South Australia (2,500 persons), the Northern Territory (2,400 persons) and Tasmania (460 persons). For more information, see table 19.

INTERSTATE MIGRATION, Arrivals, Departures and Net - States and territories - Year ended 30 September 2011
Graph: INTERSTATE MIGRATION, Arrivals, Departures and Net—States and territories—Year ended 30 September 2011