Notes on the data: Non-English-speaking countries of birth

Top ten birthplaces of people born in non-English-speaking countries, 2021

Policy context: In the post-war period (in particular from the 1950s) the majority of immigrants from non-English speaking countries came to Australia from Europe; in recent years, the proportion of these immigrants from Europe has declined [1]. The largest non-English speaking groups at the time of the 2021 Census were from India (710,400), China (595,600), Philippines (310,600), Vietnam (268,200), Malaysia (172,300), Italy (171,500), Sri Lanka (145,800), Nepal (129,900), Germany (170,900) and South Korea (106,600) [2].

Country of birth groups which increased the most between 2011 and 2021 were India (up 373,300 people), and China (208,200). Notably, the number of people born in China decreased by 52,000 people during the pandemic; there was a small decrease, of 13,000, of those born in India. Two countries with relatively large increases over this ten-year period were Philippines (up by 117,600) and Nepal (up by 102,100) [2].

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Cultural diversity in Australia - Reflecting a Nation: Stories from the 2011 Census, 2012-2013. (ABS Cat. no. 2071.0). Canberra: ABS; 2012.
Australia’s Population by Country of Birth, 2021. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release; accessed 25 August 2022.

Notes: The data comprise residents of Australia who were born overseas in one of the predominantly non-English speaking countries which are in the top ten for Australia in terms of high numbers of migrants. These are, from highest to lowest: India, China (excluding Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong & Macau, and Taiwan), Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Germany and South Korea.

The numerator excludes the 5.3% of the population (this percentage varies across States/Territories) who did not state their country of birth: however, these records are included in the denominator.

Geography: Data available by Population Health Area, Local Government Area, Primary Health Network, Quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage of area and Quintiles within PHNs, and Remoteness Area

Numerator: People born in the top ten non-English speaking countries:
India, China (excluding Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong & Macau, and Taiwan), Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Korea, Republic of (South), and Germany

Denominator: Total population

Detail of analysis: Percent

Source: Compiled by PHIDU based on the ABS Census of Population and Housing, August 2021.