Australia : Overseas Migration Fuels Western Australia Population Growth

“WA’s population nudged 2.5 million people at the end of March 2013 and grew at an annual rate of 3.4 per cent (or 82,600 people)”, said Bjorn Jarvis from the ABS. In contrast, the lowest growth rate was in Tasmania, where the population increased by just 0.1 per cent (or 600 people) to reach 512,900 people.
“Net overseas migration added 238,300 people to Australia’s population in the year to March 2013, this is around the five yearly average. We’re now seeing migration climbing steadily to rates last seen in 2009, though it’s still well below the record high of 316,000 in 2008,” he said.
Australia’s population reached 23 million at the end of March 2013, and grew by an annual rate of 1.8 per cent (or 397,400 people). Net overseas migration accounted for 60 per cent of Australia’s growth, with the remaining 40 per cent due to natural increase.
Victoria had the highest increase in natural increase for the year ending 31 March 2013, increasing by 7.8 per cent (or 3,000 people), compared to the previous year.