Demographic Characteristics

Australian Demographic Characteristics

1. Australia’s Unique Human
Characteristics.

2. Students learn about: Human
characteristics that make Australia
unique
•demographic characteristics:
•age structure
•distribution
•ethnic composition
•Gender
•growth rates
•population size

3. Students learn to:
•describe past and current population patterns
in Australia
•describe trends in Australia’s demographic
characteristics, incorporating the use of
graphs and statistics
•explain how Australia’s changing demographic
characteristics are influencing the nature and
identity of Australian society

4. Australia’s population
•Demography is the study of the characteristics of
populations. It analyses:
•population size
•population composition
•population growth
•population distribution
•population density
•sex structure
•age structure
•all other vital statistics related to the
characteristics of a particular population.

5. Australian population size
•http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument

6. Population increase
•Australia’s population is currently growing at its
fastest rate in almost 20 yrs with the most recent
increase of 1.5% or 318,500 people to
September 2007
•Net migration for last year 2008 was 213,000.
•But skilled migration has been cut in 2009 from
133,000 to 115,000
•Every 3 years Australia is approximately adding
1 million to its population
•2008 320,000 was added to the population (a
combination of natural increase and immigration)

7. Outline how each component of Australia’s population has changed
over time: Refer to the graph below

8. Answer
•(i) natural increase:
•Natural increase was highest in the early
1900’s.
•Dropped sharply with WWI and was also
low during the Great Depression and
WWII
•Increased after WWII (Baby Boomers)
•Has been declining since the 1970’s

9. Answer
•migration:
•Increased sharply from 1905 but fell
sharply with WWI and was also low during
the Great Depression and WWII
•Rapid increase post WWII
•Has continued to remain an important
component (with some fluctuations in
recent decades).

10. Population Distribution & Density
•This figure shows
the uneven
distribution of the
Australian
population.
•80% of people live
in a narrow coastal
strip stretching from
Brisbane to
Adelaide.
•This represents
only 3% of the
continents land
area.

11. •A zone of
moderate
population density
stretches from the
Darling Downs in
Southern
Queensland
through the central
west of NSW and
across to Victoria.
•The remaining
81% of the
continent contains
just 3% of the
population.

12. •Each of these zones is associated with different land
uses.
•The closely settled coastal strip contains almost all
the major urban centres and most of the large-scale
industry and business.
•The moderately settled zone is dominated by
agriculture and some small-scale industry.
•The sparsely settled zone is dominated by extensive
grazing and scattered mining activities.
Australia’s population density (that is the number of
people per square kilometre) is 2 people per square
kilometre.
•This is the lowest of any of the continents, except for
Antarctica.

13. •The distribution of Australia’s population is
undergoing change.
•The most important of these changes are:
The proportion of the
population living in
rural areas is
declining. As a result
many small rural
communities are
struggling to survive.
The proportion of people
living in the Northern
Territory, WA & QLD has
increased, while the
proportion living in NSW,
VIC, SA & TAS, has
declined
There are regional variations in population
growth rates. During the 1950/60s the
fastest growing areas were the state
capitals.

14. Account for
Australia’s
population
Distribution.
Use p129
of your text
to aid you.
Write approx
1-2 A4 pages

15. Role of Climate

16. The map below shows primary ports and secondary ports

17. Historical Factors
Economic Factors
Factors Affecting Population
Distribution in Australia
Physical factors
Limiting factors :
Early Europeans :

19. Population Growth

20. Population Terms Game
•http://www.quia.com/cc/1047064.html

22. Drought has lead to a skills shortage due to
Rural Urban Migration March 2008
•http://smallbusiness.smh.com.au/managing/management/the-new-drought-workers-911006819.html?s_cid=
rss_smallbiz

23. Population growth
•Figure 5.1a on pg 126 of the text shows the contribution
made by the two components of population growth: natural
increase and net migration
Draw figure 5.1a into your books
•NATURAL INCREASE- is the difference between the
birth ratebirth rate (which is expressed as the number of live births
per thousand of the population per year) and the death ratedeath rate
(the number of deaths per thousand people per year).
•NET MIGRATION- is the difference between the number
of permanent departures from Australia and the number of
people arriving to live in Australia on a permanent basis.

24. Net Migration
•Net migration is the difference
between the number of permanent
departures from Australia (emigration)
and the number of people arriving to live
in Australia on a permanent basis
(immigration)
•permanent arrivals (immigration) –
permanent departures (emigration) =
net migration

25. Australian Population
Change 1901-2002
Growth rates

26. My husband is away fighting
in Europe. Some of my
friends’ husbands have been
killed.
I was born just after the war,
and now I’m having a family
myself
I have a great job. I would
ruin it by having kids now.
I have a good job and I’m
earning a good wage. I
could support a larger family.
We need workers to build the
Snowy Mountains Scheme
We were nearly invaded in
the war. We need more
people to defend Australia
I’ve lost my job. I can barely
support my wife and me, let
alone kids.

27. •A significant share of Australia’s population growth
has come from immigration. (To enter and settle in a
country or region to which one is not native.)
•Since World War II (1939- 1945) more than 5 million
people have migrated to Australia.
•The outcome of this process has been the
development of a multicultural society.

•At present one in every four Australians is either a
first generation or second generation settler.
•The source of these immigrants has changed
overtime.

28. Ethnic composition
•http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/worst-for-indigenous-health/2007/04/30/1177788058906.html
May 2007 SMH

29. The percentage change of changing birthplace of new settlers

34. Australian Population Pyramid
Creator: Animation
•http://
www.gpa.uq.edu.au/PopulationPyramids/

35. What Does Population Change Mean for Business?
Life ImpactThe University of AdelaideSlide 19
Australia: Age and Sex Structure of the Population, 1901-2001
Source: Australian Censuses 1901-2001 and ABS 2000a
1901
Males Females
1911 1921
1933 1947 1954
1961
1976 1981 1986
1991 1996
Number of Persons (,000)
Males Females Males Females
Males Females Males Females Males Females
Males Females
Males Females Males Females Males Females
Males Females Males Females
Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
Number of Persons (,000)
1966
Males Females
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
1971
Males Females
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
2001
Number of Persons (,000)
Males Females
Number of Persons (,000)
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
600 400 200 0 200 400 600
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600800 800 800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 800

1901
Males Females
1911 1921
1933 1947 1954
1961
1976 1981 1986
1991 1996
Number of Persons (,000)
Males Females Males Females
Males Females Males Females Males Females
Males Females
Males Females Males Females Males Females
Males Females Males Females
Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000) Number of Persons (,000)
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
Number of Persons (,000)
1966
Males Females
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
1971
Males Females
0 - 4
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75+
2001
Number of Persons (,000)
Males Females
Number of Persons (,000)
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
600 400 200 0 200 400 600
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600800 800 800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600
800 600 400 200 0 200 400 600 800
800 800

36. Population StructurePopulation Structure
•The age/ gender structure of the Australian
population resembles that of other developed
countries.
i.e. a narrowing base and an expansion in the older age
groups.

Explain why?
This change is the result of the ageing of the
population.

37. Australia: Age-Sex Structure of the Population,
June 2006
Source: ABS Estimated Resident Population data
200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Age
Persons
Males Females
Baby
Boomers

39. Why I am showing this video?
•http://au.youtube.com/watch?v
=9JMbaZ6j1J4

40. Video
•Show reasons for ageing popn video

41. Why am I showing you this advertisement?

42. Reasons for the ageing population-
Increasing Life expectancy
* Australians are living
longer

* Life
expectancy
for:
-83 years
-77 years
Declining birth
rates-
Lower fertility rates
have resulted in a
decrease in the
proportion of young
people in the
population
Changes in Australia’s immigration program
In the 1950s/60s there was a large scale immigration program.
Majority of immigrants were young. Many of them had children.
Late 1980/90s, the immigration program was significantly
reduced & many of those who did arrive were older.

43. Fertility
•The total fertility rate (TFR, of a population
is the average number of children that would
be born to a woman over her lifetime
•The total fertility rate (TFR) is a measure of
current fertility. Australia's TFR dropped
below replacement level (2.1 babies per
woman) in 1976.
•It has remained below replacement level and
declined further since then until recently.
•This means that under current age-specific
fertility rates the average number of babies
born to a woman throughout her reproductive
life would not be sufficient to replace herself
and her partner.
•http://www.radioblogclub.com/open/128196/we_are_family_sister_sledge/Sister_Sledge_-_We_Are_Family

45. Fertility
•In 2001, Australia's fertility reached a
historic low of 1.73 babies per woman. Since
then, the total fertility rate has increased to
1.83 in 2007 and in 2008 increased to 1.93.
•Additionally, women in more advantaged areas,
while having fewer babies than those in less
advantaged areas, have had the greatest
increase in fertility between 2001 and 2007.

46. Account for the low fertility rate: DELAYING CHILDBIRTH
•Increased status of women due to
higher levels of tertiary (University
education) has meant that women are
delaying childbirth because they are
staying in the workforce longer
•Increased use of contraception
•Increase in cost of living

47. Median age for mothers &
fathers
•The trend towards delaying child-bearing in
Australia is evident in the median age of
parents.
•For both mothers and fathers, median age has
risen consistently over the past two decades.
•In 1983, the median age of all mothers who
gave birth in that year was 26.9 years, while
the median age of fathers was 29.7 years.
•In 2003, the median ages were 30.5 years and
32.6 years for mothers and fathers
respectively.

48. Consequences of low birth rates
•Video
•Show low BR consequences video http://
www.abc.net.au/tv/differenceofopinion/

49. Government response
•With the fertility rate plummeting to
record lows the Australian Government
in recent times has offered a Baby
Bonus
•In 2004 Peter Costello in his budget
address famously said
•"You should have one for the father,
one for the mother and one for the
country. If you want to fix the ageing
demographic, that's what you do,"

50. Describe and Account for the
difference in Indigenous and
Non indigenous
population pyramid shapes.
Read pgs 132-133
Ethnic composition & structure

51. Describe and Account for the difference in Indigenous and Non
indigenous population pyramid shapes
Description: Age/gender structure resembles that of a developing country
•Higher birth rate – the population is very young
•Lower life expectancy
•Accounting: due to isolation from health care facilities, poor health,
education and limited access to specialised care.
•High infant mortality rates due to the same reasons above
•Research shows that too many indigenous Australians die from a range
of preventable diseases
•More indigenous Australians are smokers
•Lack of family planning, lower participation of women in the workforce,
health problems, social issues with alcoholism and drug abuse.
•It is evident that there is a health care crisis with indigenous people in
Australia and their health is amongst the worst in the world. Poor health
is a result of poverty and social factors and conditions are harshest for
those people living in remote areas.

52. Identify what are the important implications for government Identify what are the important implications for government
planners examining the indigenous population pyramid?planners examining the indigenous population pyramid?
•Good health is expensive and it is evident that the
Government must make spending on health care
facilities and support services for Aborigines a priority.
The emphasis should be on children with the indigenous
population being so young.

54. LIFE EXPECTANCY
•Life expectancy refers to the average number
of additional years a person of a given age and
sex might expect to live if the age-specific
death rates of the given period continued
throughout his or her remaining lifetime.

56. Mortality
•Reductions in mortality in the early part
of the 20th century have been
attributed to improvements in living
conditions, such as better water supply,
sewerage systems, food quality and
health education.

57. Mortality
•The continuing reduction in mortality in
the latter half of last century has been
attributed to improving social
conditions, and to advances in medical
technology such as mass immunisation
and antibiotics.

58. Mortality
•The past two decades in particular have seen
further increases in life expectancy.
•These increases are due in part to lower
infant mortality, fewer deaths among young
adults from motor vehicle accidents and
fewer deaths among older men from heart
disease.
•The reduction in the number of deaths from
heart disease has been related to behavioural
changes, such as dietary improvements and
reduced smoking, as well as medical advances.

59. Life Expectancy

60. Deaths
•Since 1983 the number of deaths has
increased by 1% on average annually.
•The steady increase in the number of deaths
over time reflects the increasing size of the
population and, in particular, the increasing
number of older people.
•With continued ageing of the population the
number of deaths will continue to rise, with
deaths projected to outnumber births
sometime in the 2030s.

61. Homework: Use your work from today and
pp126-130 of your textbook to answer the
following task
•Write a description of Australia’s
demographic characteristics for someone who
has never been to Australia. Your description
should include information about Australia’s:
•Population size
•Population growth
•Population distribution
•Changing age structure
•Changing ethnic composition
•Minimum length: 200 words.

62. Future Population Growth
•Very debatable
•Some economists/politicians believe that Australia’s
population growth will result in resource creation, and
economic growth and that technology will be able to
overcome the environmental problems created by the
increase in population.

•In contrast, some scientists/ ecologists believe that
population growth will only worsen the problems of
resource depletion , water availability and quality,
land degradation, pollution and habitat loss.

63. •Australia has little chance of altering its population
growth rate by natural means in the near future, but
is can decide on the number of immigrants allowed to
enter the country.
•Without an immigration intake Australia’s population
would grow very slowly and may even start to decline.
•Economists argue that this would limit Australia’s
economic potential and result in a decline in living
standards.

65. Describe Describe the current trends in Australia’s population the current trends in Australia’s population
growth.growth.
•Australia’s population is currently growing at its fastest rate in
almost 20 yrs with the most recent increase of 1.5% or 318,500
people to September 2007
•But skilled migration has been cut in 2009 from 133,000 to 115,000
•Every 3 years Australia is approximately adding 1 million to its
population
•2008 320,000 was added to the population (a combination of natural
increase and immigration)
•The federal Government’s baby bonus had helped lift the nation's
fertility rate from a record low of 1.73 in 2001 to 1.91 in the latest
census in 2008
•The Government is encouraging migrants because of the skills
shortage.
•China and India are becoming increasingly important contributors to
our migrant intake.