SYDNEY, April 23, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Australia's population surged to 23 million and the nation is experiencing a record number of births – but the two are not related, researchers say. In fact, the birthrate for Australian citizens remains below replacement level.
The government estimates Australia's populace grew to 23 million people on Tuesday.
For the first time, there were more than 300,000 births last year. But the record-high 303,600 babies did not drive population growth.
Australia's birthrate remains at 1.9, below the 2.1 rate necessary to replace the island's aging population. Aside from a surge nearly a decade ago, that rate has remained stable since 1979.
The number of women having babies remains static, as well. Demographer Mark McCrindle said about 25 percent of Australian women are childless.
“That increase in the birth numbers really is those that have one, going for a second, those that have two are going for a third,” he said. “So, it's actually an increase in the family size rather than an increase in the number of women who weren't having children who now are.”
About 60 percent of Australia's demographic change comes from immigration, much of it from temporary workers unable to find work in Asia or Africa, as well as some British and Irish.
“Overall, the proportion of overseas born residents from European countries of birth is declining, while the proportion of migrants coming from Asia and Africa is increasing,” according to the Australian government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
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Due to such migrations, the workforce has grown by 200,000 people each year.
The nation's total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped precipitously from 3.6 children per woman in 1961.
McCrindle said it is “inevitable” that Australia will reach 40 million within approximately the next 40 years. But the number of Australians over 60 years old will steadily increase.