Sustainable population policy

The Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, called for a sustainable population policy.

In 2010, the number of babies born was the highest on record-297,900. This is a fertility rate of 1.89 babies per woman of reproductive age. However, this is below the replacement level of 2.1 babies per woman. Many countries around the world are reporting declining fertility rates due to modernization, increased education, and family planning.

Australian economists warn that a below-replacement birth rate, combined with a rising life expectancy, the country will face a smaller workforce, slower economic growth, and a lot of retired folk that need to health and welfare attention. The federal Department of Treasury estimated that the increase of Australians aged 65 years and older will add $60 billion to the country’s health and welfare bill by 2050.

With a lower than replacement level fertility rate, is Australia’s population also declining, leaving a dearth of young people to stock a workforce to look after the increasing older generation?

Australia has a high overseas immigration intake, relative to its population. In 2010-2011, Australia accepted 170,000 immigrants. In 2011-2012, it is expected to accept 185,000 immigrants.

Therefore, the fertility rate combined with the immigration rate gives Australia a rate of population increase of 1.4% annually. This is lower than previous years, but it is still adding to a population of over 35 million by 2050 (currently at 19 million).

Sustainable Population Australia calls for “better, not bigger” – advocating a policy to address environmental, social, and economic implications of population growth.

http://www.population.org.au/

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