The number of older Australians (65 years and over) who are
immigrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
is expected to increase by 66% over a 15-year period, according to
a new report released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare.
The corresponding increase for the Australian-born population is
projected to be 23%.
Projections of Older Immigrants: people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds 1996-2026,
Australia shows there were 393,000 older immigrants from
these backgrounds in Australia in 1996-18% of the total number of
older Australians. In 2011, this number is expected to increase to
654,000 people, or nearly one-quarter of the total older Australian
population.
Head of the AIHW's Aged Care Unit, Dr Diane Gibson, said that
not only would this population of older immigrants increase more
rapidly in the next decade and beyond, it will also age more
rapidly.
'In 1996, about 16% of the 65 and over immigrant population from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were aged 80 and
over. This compares with 23% for the Australian-born.
'By 2011 the age profiles of the two groups will be very
similar-the respective figures will be 26% and 28% of the two older
populations being aged 80 and over.'
The report shows that Italians formed the largest group of older
immigrants from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
living in Australia in 1996 (81,000). People born in Poland formed
the second largest group (27,800), followed by Germany (27,600),
Greece (26,800), the Netherlands (25,300), China (18,000) and India
(10,900).
Italians are still expected to be the largest group in 2011,
with a projected 117,600 living in Australia. People born in Greece
will form the second largest group (70,200), followed by Germany
(43,700), the Netherlands (37,500) and China (28,300).
Other findings in Projections of Older Immigrants
include:
- The Australian Capital Territory had the most diverse older
population in 1996-people from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds made up almost 24.8% of its older population.
Victoria (23.1%), the Northern Territory (20.3%) and Western
Australia (19.6%) also had higher than average proportions. Both
New South Wales and South Australia were very similar to the
national average (17.7% and 17.8% respectively). Queensland (10.4%)
and Tasmania (7.3%) were well below the national average.
- Victoria will have the most diverse older population in
2011-immigrants from a culturally and linguistically diverse
background are expected to make up about 1 in 3 of the State's
older population.
The Projections of Older Immigrants report was commissioned by
the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
15 June 2001
Further information:
Dr Diane Gibson, 02 6244 1190; mobile 0407 012
520
Media copies of the report: Publications Officer, tel. 02
6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.