Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Migration in Australia - statistics & facts
Similar to countries like Canada, the USA and New Zealand, Australia has a history of European colonization, and throughout its past has relied on immigrants for population growth and workforce expansion. Immigration to Australia has previously consisted mostly of people of Western-European origin, which was largely due to exclusionary immigration policies under the 鈥淲hite Australia Policy鈥. However, since these policies were dismantled in the 1970鈥檚, Australia鈥檚 migrant population has become increasingly diverse and the country has seen significant growth in migration from neighboring countries in Asia, as well as the middle east and southern Europe. Today, Australia is considered to be one of the world鈥檚 major 鈥渋mmigrant nations鈥 and well over a quarter of the population is born overseas.
