COMPONENTS OF POPULATION GROWTH
The growth in Australia's population has two components; natural increase (the number of births minus the number of deaths) and net overseas migration (net permanent and long-term movement plus an adjustment for category jumping). Since Federation natural increase has generally contributed more to annual population growth than net overseas migration. This was not the case for the year ended December 2002 when net overseas migration exceeded natural increase by 23,000 persons. Natural increase slowed marginally, while net migration increased over the same period. Net overseas migration in the year ended December 2002 (139,000) was the second highest number recorded since the year ended December 1988 (172,800 persons).
The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 31 December 2002 was 19,786,600 persons, an increase of 255,100 persons from 31 December 2001 and 59,100 persons from September 2002. The national growth rate during the 12 months ended December 2002 was 1.3% the same as the growth rate for the previous 12 months.
The December Quarter 2002 issue of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) was released on 5 June 2003. Together with regular data, it includes a special article, Population Mobility, detailing statistics and analysis about internal migration within Australia.
For more information please contact Anne Ward on (02) 6252 6296 or anne.ward@abs.gov.au
Print Page
Print All