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INTRODUCTION Sex and age There were slightly more males than females in the 12-25 years age group (46,673 compared with 45,792). Males slightly outnumbered females at all ages up to 22 years, after which the number of females began to exceed the number of males. Among all people counted in Tasmania, females outnumbered males by 6,918. Geographic In 1996, the highest numbers of young people were in the largely urban Statistical Subdivisions of Greater Hobart (39,941), Greater Launceston (20,552) and Burnie-Devonport (14,734). The areas with the highest concentrations of young people were also the Greater Hobart and Greater Launceston Statistical Subdivisions, where they represented 21% of all persons. Movement Young people reported being more mobile than older people. Almost 48% of 12-25 year-olds reported living at a different address than five years previously, compared with only 35% of older people. A similar pattern was evident for residential movement within the previous twelve months, with 26% of young people and only 13% of older people being at a different address. Most of this movement had taken place within Tasmania. Among people who had moved within the previous five years, 88% of 12-25 year-olds, and 84% of older people, had moved within the State. Young females were more likely to have moved than young males. Just over half of young women reported living at a different address five years ago, compared with 45% of young men. For the older population, 36% of males and 35% of females were living at a different address from five years ago. CHAPTER 3 CULTURAL DIVERSITY Indigenous people In the 1996 Census, 4,102 or 4% of young Tasmanians reported that they were of Indigenous origin. This proportion is higher than any State or Territory other than the Northern Territory (32%), and higher than the national average among young people (2.7%). The 15-17 years age group had the highest proportion of Indigenous people (5%) while the proportion of Indigenous people in the older population (aged 26 years and over) was only 2%. Overseas-born Tasmania had the lowest proportion of young people born overseas of any State or Territory. Just under 5% (4,484) of 12-25 year-olds were born overseas, compared with 19% in Western Australia. In comparison, 14% (40,847) of older people (aged 26 years and over) were born overseas. Fewer than 3% of young Tasmanians had been born in non-main English-speaking countries, the lowest proportion among any of the States and Territories. Countries of birth Nearly half (48% or 2,161) of overseas-born people aged 12-25 years originated from the main English-speaking countries (Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America ). Among older people (aged 26 years and over) 63% (25,901) were born in the main English-speaking countries. For those young Tasmanians who arrived in Australia prior to 1986, the highest proportion of young people were born in the United Kingdom. Among young people who arrived between 1986 and 1990, the highest proportion were born in New Zealand (20%), closely followed by the United Kingdom (19%). Of those who arrived more recently (1991-96), 18% had migrated from Malaysia, 11% from New Zealand and 7% from both the United Kingdom and Singapore. The number of young Tasmanians who had arrived from a non-main English-speaking country increased from 722 prior to 1986 to 1,028 between 1991 and 1996. Birthplace of parents Of 12-25 year-olds born in Australia, 68,853 or 81% had both an Australian-born mother and father. Another 6,158 (7%) of young Tasmanians born in Australia had at least one parent born in a country other than the main English-speaking countries. Only 2% (1,558) of young Tasmanians born in Australia had both parents born in a non-main English-speaking country. Languages spoken at home Just over 3% of young Tasmanians spoke a language other than English at home. Of these young people, almost 18% spoke a Chinese language. Another 11% spoke Greek. Among people aged 26 years and over, the most common language spoken at home other than English was German (15%). Proficiency in English The majority (95%) of young Tasmanians reported speaking English only. Of those young people who spoke another language, 89% reported that they spoke English very well or well. CHAPTER 4 LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Marital status Almost 18% of 15-25 year-olds in Tasmania were married - 8% in a registered marriage, and 9% in a de facto marriage. Young females were more likely than young males to be in a partnership (22% compared with 13%). Living arrangements Over 41% of 12-25 year-olds were living with their parents as dependent children. Another 23% of young males, and 14% of young females, were living as non-dependent children with their parents. Young women were more likely than young men to have moved from the family home, forming partnerships and their own families (21% compared with 10% of young males). Among Indigenous young people, higher proportions (24% of females and 12% of males) had formed partnerships, or their own families. For young people born in non-main English-speaking countries, about 46% were living as dependent children with their parents. A high proportion (18%) were living in group households, perhaps reflecting the high numbers of overseas students in this population. Type of dwelling About 3% of 12-25 year-olds in Tasmania had spent census night in a non-private dwelling. Large numbers of these young people were in boarding schools or residential colleges (1,541), or staying at hotels and motels (575). Another 345 young people reported having no usual address. Type of tenure About 61 % of young people occupied dwellings which were owned or being purchased, compared with almost three-quarters (74%) of people aged 26 years and over. Almost one-third (32%) of young people were living in rented dwellings, compared with fewer than 18% of older people (aged 26 years and over). In comparison, 47% of Indigenous young people, and 50% of those born overseas in non-main English-speaking countries, were in rented dwellings. CHAPTER 5 EDUCATION Attendance at educational institutions More than half (52% or 48,470) of all 12-25 year-olds were attending an educational institution in 1996. This compares with 48% in 1991. There was a similar overall participation rate for both males (52%) and females (53%). The proportions of young people who were attending schools (37%) and technical or further educational institutions (7%) were slightly higher than in 1991 (34% and 6% respectively). Education participation continued to decline with age, with 40% of 18-19 year-olds and just over one-fifth (20%) of 20-25 year-olds remaining in education. Non-main English-speaking birthplace Participation in education was very high among young people born overseas in a non-main English-speaking country. More than three-quarters (77%) of them were attending an educational institution. Much of this participation was among older youth (67% of 20-25 year-olds), many of whom were overseas students. Indigenous people Among Indigenous youth aged 12-25 years, 2,067 (50%) were attending an educational institution in 1996. However, most of the participation was in the younger age groups, with 94% of 12-14 year-olds and 66% of 15-17 year-olds in education. Just 12% of 20-25 year-olds remained in education. Education and labour force status Many young people attending educational institutions were also employed. Among 15-25 year-olds who were still at school or attending a tertiary or other institution full-time in 1996, 26% were working part-time or seeking part-time employment (21% of males and 31% of females). In 1991, 21% of 15-25 year-olds were working part-time or seeking part-time work. Part-time tertiary students aged 15-25 years were more likely to be employed full-time, although this has declined since 1991, reflecting the trend toward part-time work. In 1996, 68% of these were employed full-time or looking for full-time work, compared with 75% in 1991. Qualifications In the five years from 1991 to 1996, the proportion of 15-25 year-olds with post-secondary qualifications increased from 14% to 16%. Among persons aged 26 years and over, the proportion increased from 27% to 29% over the same period. Young Tasmanians were also more highly qualified in 1996 than five years earlier. Among those young people holding post-school qualifications, the proportions who had attained a bachelor degree or higher increased from 20% to 29%. Among all 15-25 year-olds in 1996, a higher proportion of males than females held post-school qualifications (18% compared with 15%). The qualifications most commonly held by young males were skilled vocational qualifications (11%), followed by bachelor degrees (3%). For young females, the most common qualifications were bachelor degrees (5%), and basic vocational qualifications (4%). CHAPTER 6 WORKING LIFE Labour force status In 1996 there were 44,653 young Tasmanians in the labour force, that is, either employed or looking for work. They made up 22% of the total labour force (204,676 people). The majority (81%) of these young people were employed. Participation rates The labour force participation rate for young people in 1996 was 63%. Participation among Indigenous young people was slightly lower at 60%. However, among young people born overseas in a non-main English-speaking country, the participation rate was 33%. This reflected the much higher level of educational participation by this group. In 1996, fewer young women were in the labour force than young men (59% compared with 67%). Full-time work The proportion of young people employed in full-time work fell between 1991 and 1996 from 34% to 31%. This decrease was experienced equally by both young women and men and reflected the general move in the labour force from full-time to part-time work. Over the same period the proportion of older people (aged 26 years and older) who were employed full-time fell by one percentage point to 34%. Part-time work The proportions of both young and older people employed in part-time work have increased. Between 1991 and 1996, the proportion of young Tasmanians who were employed part-time increased from 14% to 19%. The percentage point increase for older people was slightly lower (2%). Young women were more likely to be employed part-time than young men (47% compared with 29%). Unemployment In 1996, Tasmania's unemployment rate for young people (19%) was the highest of any State or Territory. The age group with the highest rate of unemployment (24%) was 18-19 year-olds. The rate was slightly lower for 15-17 year-olds (22%) and among 20-24 year-olds it was 17%. Among all young Tasmanians, 12% were unemployed. Industry In 1996, the largest proportions of young people were employed in Retail trade (27% or 9,684); Manufacturing (13%); and Accommodation, cafes and restaurants (7%). For older people, the largest industries of employment were Health and community services (12%); Manufacturing (12%); and Retail trade (10%). Occupation In 1996, 7,022 or 19% of young Tasmanians were employed as Elementary clerical, sales and service workers. The largest proportion (18%) of older people were employed as Professionals. For young men, the most common occupations were Tradespersons and related workers (29%), Labourers and related workers (17%), and Intermediate production and transport workers (13%). Young women were most commonly employed as Intermediate clerical, sales and service workers (30%), Elementary clerical, sales and service workers (28%), and Professionals (10%). Income While 13% of young people reported receiving no income at all, 12% reported receiving $200-$299 per week. In general, there were proportionally more young women at lower income levels and fewer at higher income levels. A partial explanation for this is women's higher participation in part-time work. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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4123.6 - Tasmania's Young People, 1996
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/10/1998
This page last updated 8 December 2006