International Migration:

Australia in a Global Context

byGraeme Hugo

ARC Australian Professorial Fellow

Professor of Geography and Director of the Australian Population

and Migration Research Centre, The University of Adelaide

Presentation to Year 12 Geography Night, University of Adelaide

12th August 2014

Outline of Presentation

• Introduction

• Global Trends in Migration

• Key Changes in Global Discourse

• Australia: A Nation of Immigrants

• Key Changes in Australian

Migration

• An International Role for Australia

• Conclusion

A Mobile Planet

Population mobility is now within

the calculus of choice of most of

the world’s citizens as they weigh

up their life chances

Number of Chinese Travelling Abroad for Business and Tourism 1981-2003

and Total Number of Outbound Trips from China, 1997-2013Source: Far Eastern Economic Review, 24 June 2004, 30; Asia Times Online, 9 February 2006;

Guangrui 2011; Tourist Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Labour Force Age Groups and

Dependency RatesSource: World Bank, 2006

Global International Migration, 1980-2013Source: United Nations, 2011 and 2013

Year Number of

Migrants

% of Total

Population

1980 99,300,000 2.2

1990 155,518,065 2.9

1995 165,968,778 2.9

2000 178,498,563 2.9

2005 195,245,404 3.0

2010 213,943,812 3.1

2013 232,000,000 3.2

International Migration by Country of

Destination, 2013Source: United Nations 2013

International Migration by Country of

Origin, 2013Source: United Nations 2013

International Migrants by Major Area,

1990 to 2013Source: United Nations 2013

Numbers of international migrants by

origin and destination, 1990-2013Source: United Nations 2013

The Number of International Migrants: Absolute Change and

Percentage Change Between 2000 and 2013, by RegionSource: United Nations, 2013

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20

40

60

80

100

120

140Absolute change % change

Source: United Nations 2013

Emigration Policy

Two Key Changes in International

Migration Discourse

• Migration and development nexus

• The emergence of transnationalism as the

dominant paradigm

Impact on Economic

Development

• Brain drain perspective

• Individual migrants and their

families

• Destination

• Origin

• Recognition that migration can be

an enabler of development

The Diaspora and Development

• Remittances

• A source of FDI

• A bridgehead for exports

• Technology transfer

• Social remittances

• Return migration

Remittances and Capital Flows to Developing

Countries, 1990 to 2016Source : World Bank 2013, 1

Remittances Received (US$m), 2012Source: World Bank Remittances database, November 2012

Transnationalism

• More balanced consideration of origin

and destination

• Circular and non-permanent migration

• Role of diaspora

• Data collection issues

A Model of the Australia-Asia

Migration System

Key Global Emerging Migration

Issues

• Migration and its role in Economic Development

• Migration and Environment (especially Climate Change)

• Replacement Migration

• Migration and Human Capital Formation

• Refugees and Asylum Seekers

• Undocumented Migration

• Differences between nations in openness to migration

• Migration’s linkages with trade, diplomacy and security

Population growth between 2000 and 2010 and

its componentsSource: OECD 2012, p.52

X

Australia: Total Population Growth Showing the Natural

Increase and Net Migration Components, 1901-2013Source: ABS 1986 and ABS Australian Demographic Statistics, various issues

Australia:A Country of Immigration

• 26 percent born overseas in 2011

• 18.8 percent Australia-born with an overseas-born parent(s) in 2011

• 908,049 persons temporarily present at 30 June 2011

• Without postwar migration the Australian population would be less than 13 million

• Around 750,000 Australians overseas

Distinctiveness of Australian

International Migration

• Half population within one generation of migration

• Island geography means high level of control of

migration

• One of most micro-managed migration programs in the

world

• Complete data collection of all persons entering and

leaving the country

• Data includes emigration and non-permanent migration

• Along with Canada strong public approval of migration

Indicators of Australian Diversity, 2011Source: ABS, 2011 Census

Indicator Percent

Born overseas 26.1

Born overseas in NES country 16.6

Australia-born with an overseas-born parent 18.8

Speaks language other than English at home 19.2

Ancestry (first response) in a NES country 26.7

Non-Christian religion 7.9

Indigenous Population 2.6

No. of birthplace groups with 10,000 + 67

No. of birthplace groups with 1,000 + 133

No. of indigenous persons 548,369

Greater Sydney: Indicators of Diversity, 2011Source: ABS, 2011 Census

Indicator Percent

Born overseas 36.4

Born overseas in NES country 28.0

Australia-born with an overseas-born parent 23.0

Speaks language other than English at home 34.3

Ancestry (first response) in a NES country 41.1

Non-Christian religion 14.3

Indigenous Population 1.3

No. of birthplace groups with 10,000 + 38

No. of birthplace groups with 1,000 + 97

No. of indigenous persons 54,745

Changing Origin of SettlersDistribution of Birthplace of Settlers to Australia, 1970

Source: DIMIA 1972 Australian Immigration: Consolidated Statistics

Distribution of Birthplace of Overseas-Born, 2011Source: ABS 2011 Census

A Paradigm Shift in Australian

Migration• Increase in non permanent migration

• Increase in onshore migration

• Increased focus on skill

• Introduction of State Specific and Regional Migration Scheme and

other schemes to assist settlement in non-metropolitan areas

• Increased settlement outside main gateways

• Increased diversity

• Importance of asylum seekers

• New issues

- Migration and Development

- Migration and Climate Change

Percentage of high-educated among the

foreign-born population, 2000 and 2010Source: OECD 2012, p.54

X

X

Higher Degree Qualification by Australia- and

Overseas-Born, 1981-2011Source: 1981 to 2001 Census One Percent files, ABS 2006 and 2011 Censuses

Year Australia-born Overseas-born

Percent of All

Higher Degree

Overseas-Born

1981 0.44 0.97 43.5

1986 0.53 1.21 44.2

1991 0.72 1.58 44.9

1996 1.07 2.3 44.9

2001 1.35 3.22 47.4

2006 1.46 4.59 49.0

2011 1.90 5.34 54.9

Australia: Migration Program Outcome by Stream and Non-

Program Migration, 1976-7 to 2012-13Source: DIAC Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, various issues; DIAC Immigration Update, various

issues; DIAC 2012 and 2013

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Family Skill Special Eligibility Other/New Zealand Citizens Humanitarian

Australia: Settler Arrivals by Region of Last Residence, 1947 to

1996 and Permanent Additions by Region of Birth, 1997 to 2013Source: DIBP data

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UK and Ireland Other Europe Africa Americas NZ and Pacific Middle East Asia

*July 1945 to June 1947

Note: Middle East includes North Africa from 1996-97.

Australia: Permanent Additions, 2001-02 to

2012-13Source: DIAC Immigration Update, various issues; DIBP, unpublished data

Humanitarian Program visa grants by

category 1977-78 to 2012-13Source: DIAC 2012 and 2013

Australia: Unauthorised Arrivals, 1989-90 to 2012-13Source: DIMIA 2002, 2004 and 2005; DIAC 2007; DIAC Annual Report, various issues; Phillips and Spinks

2013; DIAC 2013

Australia: Net Overseas Migration, Settler Arrivals , Asylum

Applications Lodged and Humanitarian Program Permanent

Additions, 2005-6 to 2011-12Source: ABS 2012, DIAC 2012a and b

Australia: New Zealand-Born in Australia, Number and as a

Percentage of the Total Australian Population, 1861-2013Source: ABS Historical Migration Statistics, Australian Censuses 1901 to 2011 and ABS 2013 Estimated Resident

Population data

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Australia: Temporary Migration, 1986-87 to 2012-13Source: DIAC, Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, various issues; DIAC Annual Report, various issues

Movement Between China and AustraliaSource: DIBP unpublished data

1. Permanent 1993/94-2012/13

Settler Arrivals China-born 202,856

Permanent Departures to China 58,271

- Overseas-Born Departures 44,859

- Australia-born Departures 13,412

2. Long Term 1993/94 – 2012/13

Arrivals from China 620,066

Departures from Australia to China -Total 295,384

- China-born 257,547

- Australia-born 22,773

3.Average Number of Short Term Visits of China-Born 1998-2006

To China from Australia

- Chinese immigrants 1994-2006 2.4

- Chinese immigrants before 1994 6.2

From China to Australia

- Return migrants from Australia 5.9

- Other visitors 4.4

Diaspora

• More than half of the world’s nations now

have formal institutions devoted to

maintaining ties with their diasporas abroad

• Ability of migrants to develop and maintain

linkages with their homeland enhanced by

ICT and cheapening of travel

• Two dimensions in Australia

– Diaspora linkage maintained by migrant

communities in Australia

– Linkages maintained by expatriate

Australians

Australia: Permanent Departures of Australia-born and Overseas-

born from Australia, 1959-60 to 2012-13Source: DIMIA Australian Immigration: Consolidated Statistics, DIAC Immigration Update ,various issues;

DIBP unpublished data

2013 Unique Visitors to AFL Website as at 24 May 2013

(298,629)

Australians Living Overseas: Frequency of Contact

with Australia, 2006 (percentage)Source: One Million More Survey (n=9,529)

Frequency of Contact Telephone Email

Business Personal Business Personal

At least once a day 3.5 6.2 8.9 29.8

Every 2-3 days 3.4 19.3 4.8 28.8

Weekly 5.6 45.9 7.5 27.9

Monthly 12.5 21.9 15.5 10.8

Every 6 months 15.0 4.6 14.5 1.9

Once per year 9.2 1.1 7.6 0.4

Never 50.9 1.0 41.3 0.5

Ways in Which Respondents Keep in Touch

With What is Happening in Australia While

Away, 2006Source: One Million More Survey (n=9,529)

Ways of Keeping in Touch Percent

Regular interaction with family and friends 92.0

Regular reading of on-line media 90.7

Regular interaction with Australian colleagues 44.1

International news channels 35.0

Expatriate organisations 24.1

Australian journals/magazines 20.2

Mailing lists 11.4

Other 6.3

Key Features

• Highly skilled and educated

• High propensity to return in early-mid

career

• Intensive engagement with Australia-

bimodal

• Senate Inquiry 2005

• New interest

Migration and Development

“The potential for migrants to help transform

their native countries has captured the

imaginations of national and local authorities,

international institutions and the private sector.

There is an emerging consensus that countries

can cooperate to create triple wins, for

migrants, for their countries of origin and for the

societies that receive them.”

Kofi Annan, 2006

Global Debate on Migration

Effects on Development in Origin

• More Complex Discourse

• Brain Drain Vs Diaspora and Development

• Substantial Involvement of UN, World Bank, Asian

Development Bank, EC

• Possibility of win-win-win scenarios

• UN High Level Dialogue, Global Forum on Migration

and Development

• Little involvement from Australia

Australia: Change in Medical Workforce

From Pacific, Asia and Africa, 2006-11Source: ABS 2006 and 2011 Censuses

2011 2006 Percent Change 2006-11

Region of Birth

Medical

Practitioners

Midwifery and

Nursing

Medical

Practitioners

Midwifery

and

Nursing

Medical

Practitioners

Midwifery

and

Nursing

Pacific 522 2,966 448 2,269 16.5 30.7

SE Asia 6,532 13,280 4,642 8,967 40.7 48.1

NE Asia 2,981 6,542 2,071 3,394 43.9 92.8

S Asia 8,156 8,332 4,750 2,384 71.7 249.5

Africa 4,085 6,967 2,947 4,153 38.6 67.8

Total 22,276 38,087 14,858 21,167 49.9 79.9

Diaspora and Development

• Remittances

• A source of FDI

• A bridgehead for exports

• Technology transfer

• Social remittances

• Return migration

“Development Friendly”

Migration Policy - Origins

• Encourage diaspora linkages

• Encourage return migration – permanent,

temporary and virtual

• Integrate migration and remittances into

development planning at national, regional

and local levels

• Encourage bi nationality

“Development Friendly”

Migration Policy - Destinations

• Changing culture of migration decision

making

• Remittances

• Return migration, permanent and temporary

• Encouragement of dual nationality

• Targeting development assistance to origin

areas

• Encourage diaspora organisation

development

• a mix of skilled and unskilled migration

Conclusion

• Australian postwar migration is a major success story

• Asylum seeker issue has undermined much of this

• Need for a more balanced and informed community

discussion on migration

• Australia has a major role to play internationally in

improving

– Governance of migration

– Capacity building

– Enhancing empirical base

– Protecting migrant rights

– Enhancing positive development impacts