Declining Fertility

Until 2008 the majority of Australia’s population growth was driven by net natural increases (i.e. births minus deaths). Since 2008, net overseas migration has overtaken net natural increases as a component of population growth, contributing 61.4% of population growth in Australia in 2018.

Declining Fertility offset by Net Overseas Migration

Until 2008 the majority of Australia’s population growth was driven by net natural increases (i.e. births minus deaths). Since 2008, net overseas migration has overtaken net natural increases as a component of population growth, contributing 61.4% of population growth in Australia in 2018.

This trend is most evident during the mining and resource boom, where states like Queensland and Western Australia experienced net inward migration (overseas and net interstate migration) approximately 2.5 times the rest of Australia.

Net overseas migration is also more volatile year to year, depending on the prevailing economic conditions at the time.

Components of Net Migration, Australia

NOM Declining Fertility.png

Source: ABS (2019, Cat no. 3101.0)

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