Population projections: We’re getting older and having fewer babies
ABS projections for the next 50 years point to migration as the pathway to population growth
3 min
Australia’s ageing population is clearly evident in the latest round of population projections just released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The median age in Australia is currently 38.5 years. By 2071, this will increase to between 43.8 years and 47.6 years.
The ABS comments: “Of the changes projected to occur in Australia’s population, ageing is generally considered to be the most dramatic, with significant changes to the age structure of the population. Ageing of the population is a trend which has been evident over recent decades as a result of fertility remaining below replacement level and declining mortality rates.”
The proportion of children aged 0-14 years is projected to decline from 18% in 2022 to between 13% and 16% in 2071. The working age population aged 15-64 years is projected to decrease from 65% to between 59% and 60% in 2071. People aged 65 years and over will increase from 17% in 2022 to between 25% and 27% in 2071.
Overall, our population will swell from 26 million as of 30 June 2022 (and 26.5 million today) to between 34.3 million and 45.9 million by 2071. We’ll see a stronger growth rate of between 1.2% and 1.7% per annum over the next decade, but over the entire projection period, the growth rate will average out to between 0.6% and 1.1% per year.
Australia’s population growth is comprised of natural increase (births minus deaths) and net overseas migration (migrant arrivals minus migrant departures). Migration will play a bigger role in our population growth than natural increase, according to the projections.
In 2021-22, there was a natural increase of 117,400 people in Australia. In 2071, the ABS projects natural increase to range from 104,500 people per year to 118,000 per year. If Australia had no migration at all over the projection period, the population would fall to 23.9 million by 2071. The ABS says Australia’s birth rate has been declining for many decades.The fertility rate peaked in 1961 during the ‘baby boom’ at 3.5 babies per woman. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 babies, but we haven’t been there since 1975. The current average is 1.64 babies per woman.
Australian women are also having their babies later in life. The ABS comments: “Over the past 10 years, age-specific fertility rates have been declining for the younger age groups (women below age 30), whilst remaining stable among women aged 30 years and over, representing a continuing shift in fertility towards older ages.”
The ABS expects net overseas migration gains of between 9.2 million and 14.1 million people in total over the next 50 years. NSW and Victoria will continue to attract the lion’s share of Australia’s new arrivals. NSW will attract 35.8% and Victoria will bring in 32.8%. NSW will receive between 63,000 and 97,900 migrants (net) per year from 2032, whileVictoria will receive between 57,400 and 90,200.
In terms of net interstate migration, or the movement of Australian residents between states, Queensland is expected to remain the favourite destination. The Sunshine State overtook Victoria in 2016-17 and this trend remains. It was turbocharged during COVID-19 when remote working prompted many people to leave NSW and Victoria. Queensland’s NIM rate more than doubled from 22,600 people in 2018-19 to 48,800 people in 2021-22.
Australians are expected to continue loving big city living. The unique concentration of our population is a factor keeping metro property prices as high as they are today. As of 30 June 2022, 67% of us were choosing to live in one of eight capital cities. This trend will continue, however, Melbourne is projected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s largest city sometime between 2032 and 2046. Its population will grow from just over 5 million in 2022 to between 6.5 million and 9.9 million by 2071.
The states with the highest concentration of capital city residents are currently Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, and this trend will continue. Perth is currently home to 80% of West Australian residents and this will either remain the case or rise slightly to 81% over the next decade. Adelaide is home to 78% of South Australia’s population and this will rise to between 79% and 80%. Currently, 76% of Victorians choose to live in Melbourne and this will either stay the same or lift to 77% by 2032.
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Australian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market. The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index. …
Continue reading “ASX falls 0.7 per cent as miners and property stocks retreat”
2 minAustralian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market.
The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index.
Energy was the notable exception, gaining more than one per cent as Brent crude traded above US$103 a barrel. Oil had moved higher amid uncertainty surrounding potential US diesel-export restrictions and broader geopolitical supply risks. The move supported energy producers but renewed concern about inflation inputs across transport and the wider economy.
Gold shares were weak even as spot bullion remained historically elevated. The All Ordinaries Gold index fell about 2.25 per cent, showing that equity performance can diverge from the commodity because of valuation, currency, operating and company-specific factors.
Zip was a prominent loser, falling 11.38 per cent after the company reported short sales after the previous close. Nine Entertainment also weakened after UBS analysts warned of near-term revenue challenges associated with its advertising-supported subscription tier.
Premier Investments led larger winners despite caution about the retail environment. Breville, in which Premier owns a significant stake, also appeared among leading movers. In the broader ASX 300 screen, Myer gained 11.43 per cent and MAAS Group rose 7.93 per cent, while Lotus Resources fell 10.53 per cent. These percentage moves should be checked against company announcements and trading liquidity before attributing causes.
The Australian dollar was broadly flat at US70.38 cents. Spot gold was around US$4,280 an ounce, Brent crude approximately US$103.08 a barrel and iron ore near US$96.90 a tonne late in the session.
The rate outlook remains the central domestic catalyst. Labour-market weakness has not eliminated the possibility of an RBA increase next week, leaving banks, listed property and other rate-sensitive sectors exposed to changing expectations.
Market dashboard
S&P/ASX 200: 8,702, down 0.72 per cent.
All Ordinaries: 8,897, down 0.66 per cent.
Best sector: Energy, up more than one per cent.
Weakest areas: Real estate and materials were the major drags; confirm final sector percentages before publication.
Material winner: Premier Investments led the large-company gainers. Confirm its final closing move from the ASX before publication.
Material loser: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.
ASX 300 percentage leader: Myer, up 11.43 per cent.
ASX 300 percentage laggard: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.
AUD/USD: Approximately US$0.7038, broadly flat.
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