News headlines around the world are today quoting:
China has overtaken the UK and New Zealand as Australia’s biggest source of immigrants, official figures reveal.
A report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, titled “Permanent Movement, Settlers – Country of Birth” shows that October 2009 was a very unusual month for new settlers for these two countries.
1,550 new settlers arrived from the United Kingdom in October 2009, a decrease of 37.5% from last Octobers 2,480
In comparison, the numbers from China were:
1,540 new settlers arrived from China in October 2009 an increase of 32.7% from last Octobers 1,160
However looking at annualised numbers:
China
- Nov 2007 – Oct 2008 = 14,370
- Nov 2008 – Oct 2009 = 16,620 an increase of 15.7%
UK
- Nov 2007 – Oct 2008 = 22,750
- Nov 2008 – Oct 2009 = 19,230 a decrease of 15.5%
Previous Years figures, based on the financial year July – June, have been:
China
2007-08
Family 5,329
Skilled 7,112
Total 12,959
2008-09
Family 6,996
Skilled 8,189
Total 15,803 Up 21.9% on last year
United Kingdom
2007-08
Family 3,874
Skilled 17,853
Total 23,236
2008-09
Family 4,219
Skilled 15,803
Total 21,545 Down 7.3% on last year
The numbers for each group of people based on their own place of birth, from the 2006 Census, are show individually at the ABS website, and the relevant figures are:
- 6,283,650 English
- 1,803,741 Irish
- 1,501,201 Scottish
- 113,250 Welsh
- 669,890 Chinese
Sources:
93.1 - 873,625