The Transformation of Australia's Population: 1970-2030

Tracks the profound changes that have occurred in Australia’s population profile over the last 30 years and then predicts the expected population trends for the next 30.

This book tracks the profound changes that have occurred in Australia’s population profile over the last 30 years and then predicts the expected population trends for the next 30. Many of these changes are well documented: Australians are living longer than ever before; men and women are marrying much later than previously, and are now more likely to live together before marriage. Couples are having children at a later age, and having fewer of them. Australians are also divorcing at a higher rate.

Further changes to Australia’s population have been brought about by the large increase in immigration from non-European countries over the past 25 years, with more changes anticipated over the next 20 years.

Such issues, along with many others relating to Australia’s current population trends and patterns, are described and analysed in this book. Using the latest information and projections, including data from the 2001 Census, and with contributions from some of Australia’s leading demographers and commentators on population issues, it considers such contemporary issues as:

• the decline in Australia’s birth rates and differences in fertility by socioeconomic background
• the causes of the decline in death rates and increasing life expectancies and the future directions of mortality rates
• trends in aboriginal birth and death rates and changes in remote and urban indigenous communities
• variations in family patterns due to changes in marriage and divorce rates, and the labour force participation of women
• the tension between skill and family ties as selection criteria on the management of Australia’s recent immigration policy, and the impact of the surge in illegal entry and asylum cases
• the factors influencing population distribution and the growth of Sydney and Melbourne
• the changes in the labour force over the last 30 years and the prospects for future employment growth
• the positive aspects of Australia’s ageing population and the factors contributing to independent living among older Australians

Preface

1. Introduction: Australia’s population history and prospects by Geoffrey McNicoll
2. Indigenous Australians: The first transformation by John Taylor
3. Fertility trends and differentials by Gordon Carmichael and Peter McDonald.
4. Transformations in the Australian family by Peter McDonald
5. The Changing dmensions of mortality by Heather Booth
6. The management of immigration patterns of reform by Bob Birrell
7. A greater diversity of origins by Siew-Ean Khoo
8. Changing patterns of population distribution by Graeme Hugo
9. Transformations in the labour force by Bruce Chapman and Cezary A. Kapuscinski
10. An ageing population: Emergence of a new stage of life by Don Rowland
11. Australia’s future population: Population policy in a low-fertility society by Peter McDonald