Demographic Changes 1788-2000’s Age Structure Sex Structure Ethnic Composition © Karen Devine 2010.

Demographic Changes Demographic Changes 1788-2000’s1788-2000’s

Age StructureAge Structure

Sex StructureSex Structure

Ethnic CompositionEthnic Composition

© Karen Devine 2010

Age Structure Pre 1900Age Structure Pre 1900

The average age of a transported convict was The average age of a transported convict was 26.26.Most free settlers to Australia were skilled Most free settlers to Australia were skilled migrants of child-bearing age.migrants of child-bearing age.



The governments of The governments of the colonies wanted the colonies wanted to grow their to grow their populations. populations.

Hence, some Hence, some migrants were migrants were essential and were essential and were often given often given assisted assisted passage.passage.



Life expectancy was Life expectancy was shorter in the shorter in the colonial era.colonial era.

Life expectancy of Life expectancy of Aboriginal People Aboriginal People has always been has always been shorter than non-shorter than non-Aboriginal people.Aboriginal people.


Age Structure 2000’sAge Structure 2000’s

The average life The average life expectancy now expectancy now is:is:

a)a) men- 79 yearsmen- 79 years

b)b) women – 82 women – 82 years.years.


Age Structure 2000’sAge Structure 2000’s

Australia’s population Australia’s population is ageing because the is ageing because the numbers of people numbers of people over 40 is growing, yet over 40 is growing, yet the numbers of the numbers of younger people is younger people is declining.declining.

Australia has a low Australia has a low death rate and a low death rate and a low birth rate.birth rate.


Sex Structure Pre 1900Sex Structure Pre 1900

Only 11% of Only 11% of transported convicts transported convicts were female. were female.

Most Most were notwere not prostitutes.prostitutes.

In the 1850’s there In the 1850’s there were approximately were approximately 160 males to 100 160 males to 100 females.females.


Sex Structure 2000’sSex Structure 2000’s

Approximately 105 Approximately 105 males per 100 males per 100 females exist at females exist at birth, yet there is birth, yet there is higher male mortality higher male mortality for the 30-64 years for the 30-64 years age group. age group.


Sex Structure 2000’sSex Structure 2000’s

Above age 65, there Above age 65, there are higher male are higher male mortality rates.mortality rates.

The sex ratio of the The sex ratio of the total population for total population for Australia is 98.9 Australia is 98.9 males per 100 males per 100 females. (2008 figs)females. (2008 figs)


Ethnic Structure Pre 1900Ethnic Structure Pre 1900

Convicts and free Convicts and free settlers were mainly settlers were mainly of Anglo-Celtic of Anglo-Celtic descent.descent.

The main religion The main religion practiced was practiced was Christianity; English Christianity; English (Protestantism) and (Protestantism) and Irish (Catholicism).Irish (Catholicism).


Ethnic Structure Pre 1900Ethnic Structure Pre 1900

Most of the English Most of the English were literate; the Irish were literate; the Irish were not.were not.

The Chinese, The Chinese, Germans, Americans Germans, Americans and other Europeans and other Europeans arrived during the arrived during the time of the Gold time of the Gold Rush. Rush.


Ethnic Structure 2000’sEthnic Structure 2000’s

Since the abolition Since the abolition of the “White of the “White Australia Policy” in Australia Policy” in 1973, Australia has 1973, Australia has become a become a multicultural nation.multicultural nation.

Who is this man? What were his policies? Outline the changes which resulted in Australia as a result of his policies.


Ethnic Structure 2000’sEthnic Structure 2000’s

There have also There have also been periods of been periods of refugee migration refugee migration such as:such as:

a)a) Vietnamese Vietnamese (1970’s)(1970’s)

b)b) Yugoslavs (1990’s)Yugoslavs (1990’s)c)c) Sudanese, Middle Sudanese, Middle

East, Afghanistan East, Afghanistan (2000’s).(2000’s).


Question Time?Question Time?

What is meant by the What is meant by the phrase “Unity in phrase “Unity in Diversity”?Diversity”?

Discuss whether Discuss whether Australian Australian Multiculturalism works.Multiculturalism works.

Watch MulticulturalismWatch Multiculturalism Film. Film.


Demographic Changes 1788-2000’s Age Structure Sex Structure Ethnic Composition © Karen Devine 2010.

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