A " New " Australia !

The Australian population is edging close to twenty-four million people but our growing numbers reflect immigration rather than the natural internal birth rate.  In fact our birth rate of just 1.79 is below replacement level.  If it were not for immigration we would actually be going backwards.

Since 1788 this has been the last continent virtually undiscovered and peopled by races from all over the world.  The first settlers were decidedly British, but the discovery of gold brought an influx of many other races and amongst these the Chinese predominated, resulting in the implementation of the " White Australia " policy.

The tragedy of two world wars cut a swathe through the ranks of this country's young men during the last century and this was compensated after 1945 when we opened our doors to the war weary of Europe.  This surge changed the mostly Protestant balance to a Protestant/Catholic mix but basically Australia was a Christian country located geographically in Asia.   Our Asian component arrived at the end of the Vietnam war and now we are a country of many religions and mixed ethnicity.

Once again the ethnic mix of this country is changing.  World events dictate migrant flows and war in the Middle East has seen a huge exodus, mainly to Europe but Australia is high on the sights of many because we are a rich country with a desirable lifestyle.  The religion of those presently knocking on our door is predominantly Muslim.

We are also seeing an influx from Pacific Island countries.  Global warming is causing sea levels to rise and this is causing many island people to look to Australia as a new home. Traditionally, the birth rate is above the Australian average, with Samoan women averaging 3.26 children.

Fertility and migration are factors that will change the nature of Australia.  It usually takes several generations for migrants to lose their close attachment to the customs and habits of their former  homeland and those seeking entry here have traditional birthrates much higher than out present 1.79 average.

Civil war and Islamic State have roiled the entire Middle East and the displaced have interesting birth statistics.  In Iraq it averages 2.8, Syria 3.38, Lebanon 4.03 and Pakistan 3.02.    These are the countries where we expect demand for placement in Australia to originate in the very foreseeable future.  We can expect those birth rates to become the usual statistic from those who settle in this country.

There is now the expectation that the demographics of Australia will substantially change by the end of this century.  It is quite possible that Christians may become the minority and Islam the predominate religion, but it is also realistic to see a drop in migrant birthrate as newcomers adjust to the need for a two income family to fund their adopted  lifestyle.  The impetus for many children was often based on child mortality rates and the hopes that sufficient would survive to care for the parents in old age.   When mortality rates fall, the emphasis changes and quality education and job prospects for a smaller number of offspring predominate.

That old adage of " populate or perish " still applies.   We were an anomaly - being a small Christian hub in a teeming Asia with Muslim Indonesia to our north and Hindu India next door.  If we can successfully integrate the various religions to live in harmony this could be the new world order.

The only thing that is absolutely certain - is that change is about to happen !