Foreign Born Immigrants Increasing In Australia

03 Aug 2010

The largest number of immigrants to Australia is from UK, i.e., 5.4 percent of the population now comes from the UK, as per figures published at the end of last week by Bureau of Statistics. One in four Australians is now foreign-born as against the earlier count of one in five Australians.

The second largest number of immigrants is from New Zealand with 2.4 percent of the population. This is followed by China with 1.6 percent and India with 1.4 percent. These countries have taken over from Italy and Vietnam as the third and fourth largest foreign populations. Most recent migrants fit into the age group of 15-34 years old. The new Australian visa holders will help to boost labour market and help to counteract the effects of an aging population.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader, Tony Abbott were born overseas and moved to Australia.