Media release –
National
2011 Census data provides a snapshot of Australia’s cultural diversity21 June 2012 | CO/58Australia’s richest source of statistical data, the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, has highlighted the diversity of Australia’s population, with initial Census results released today. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has produced an analytical article, Cultural Diversity in Australia, focusing on the range of birthplaces, religions, languages and ancestries reported in the 2011 Census. 2011 Census Executive Director, Andrew Henderson, said that throughout the 100 years since the first national Census in 1911, Australia’s cultural fabric had changed remarkably. “Historically, the majority of migration has come from Europe. However, there are increasingly more people born in Asia and other parts of the world now calling Australia home,” Mr Henderson said. “The leading birthplace for those who arrived since 2006 was India (13.1 per cent), closely followed by the United Kingdom (12.1 per cent). “The historical pattern of migration and settlement is evident in the richly diverse society which has been recorded in the 2011 Census.” Mr Henderson reminded all Australians that Census data is freely available to all members of the public. “Census data tells us a fascinating story about the make-up of our nation. With around a quarter of Australia’s population born overseas, diversity touches every part of our country, no matter where you are. “All Australians can go online and see what Census data says about the place they call home.” Further information is available in Cultural Diversity in Australia. This is one of a series of articles to be progressively released in Reflecting a Nation: Stories from the 2011 Census (cat. no. 2071.0). The series and data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing is now available on the ABS website. Visit www.abs.gov.au/census. |