From 2011 to 2021, Indian-born migrants increased by 373,000 people to 710,000 people, while Chinese migrants rose by 208,000 to 595,000.
The latest ABS figures further show that the overseas-born population has dipped for the first time since 2000 due to COVID-19.
Despite a decline in the last 10 years, the largest group of overseas-born Australian residents in 2021 were born in England (967,000 people).
Highlights:
- Australia’s population rose by 45,000 from June 2020 to June 2021 while the overseas-born population dropped
- In 2021, 7.5 million people living in Australia were born overseas as compared to 7.7 million people a year earlier
- The Indian-born migrant group has a median age of 36 years in 2021
Jenny Dobak, Head of Migration Statistics at the ABS, said, "While Australia’s population increased by 45,000 from June 2020 to June 2021, there was a decrease in the overseas-born population."
“The decrease reflected reduced overseas migration in and out of Australia, given the COVID-19 travel restrictions. The travel and migration intentions of many people changed due to the pandemic, including those migrating to work or study," Ms Dobak said.
In 2021, 7.5 million people living in Australia were born overseas as compared to 7.7 million people a year earlier.
"In the first year of the pandemic, there were fewer people born overseas migrating to Australia, as well as fewer people born in Australia departing to live overseas.”
An ABS spokesperson said the Indian-born group had initially taken second spot in 2020, when it overtook China.
In 2021, the highest proportions of the population for those born overseas were aged between 35 to 39 years with the Indian-born population having a median age of 36 years, up from 31 years in 2011.
Furthermore, show India as the most popular overseas destination, accounting for 18 per cent of all resident returns.
In February 2022, over 20,000 resident return trips were recorded from India followed by 12,760 trips from the US and 8,150 from the UK.
Melbourne resident Taran Singh, 30, migrated to Australia a few years ago and was recently granted permanent residency.
"Australia is a beautiful place and since I had my mother's brother living here it was easier to decide to migrate here," Mr Singh told SBS Hindi.
Taran Singh with his wife Gurleen have recently been granted permanent residency status. Source: Supplied by Taran Singh
"I know this is the land of opportunities. I'm on the top of the world after being granted PR recently as now I can plan my future, my house, my family." he shares.
Rishab Gore, 33, arrived in Sydney two years ago after weighing up whether to migrate to Canada or Australia.
"Weather was the main reason why I chose Australia to migrate," Mr Gore, who is an IT professional, said.
Mr Rishab Gore with his wife in Sydney. Source: Supplied by Rishab Gore.
As of 2016, Victoria topped the chart for having the largest number of India-born migrants at more than 180,000 followed by New South Wales with 153,000 Indians.
More than 53,000 Indian-born migrants were living in Queensland and Western Australia, while around 29,000 residents in South Australia were born in India.
