Australia's increasing diversity a boon for prosperity

Just-released figures from the 2021 Census show the proportion of the Australian population born overseas is rising. Just over 7 million people in Australia were born overseas while 5.8 million people speak a language other than English at home. So what does that mean for the country?

Pedestrians in Melbourne. Source: AAP / AAP

Key Points

• New figures from the 2021 Census data have been released, and show Australia is becoming increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse.
• Just over 7 million people in Australia were born overseas while 5.8 million people speak a language other than English at home.
• The new top five countries of birth are: India, China, England, New Zealand and Philippines.

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Australia's increasing diversity a boon for prosperity

Australia's increasing diversity a boon for prosperity

07:09

Now in 2021, more than seven million people in Australia were born overseas; this is almost 30 per cent of the population.

The new top 5 most common countries of birth of the population are: India, China, England, New Zealand and Philippines.

How to listen to this podcast. Credit: SBS Filipino