Where did unemployment increase the most? One of the most profound impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns has been the loss of jobs across the economy. This has manifested itself in higher unemployment numbers and rates. Data released by the ABS through the monthly labour force survey is a leading economic indicator, but it…
Australia’s fertility rate continues to fall according to the recently released annual births data by the ABS It confirmed the steady decline in the total fertility rate (TFR) in Australia over the past decade. However, at the same time, the number of births remains at historically high levels. This juxtaposition is a great example of why…
This year I’ve published several blogs that look at the impact of COVID-19 on population change. These have considered the impact of travel restrictions on overseas migration, as this is the driver of population growth in Australia. However internal migration is an important driver of change within Australia. The ABS recently released provisional estimates of…
I’ve written a few blogs previously that describe the impacts of COVID-19 and border closures on population growth and change. The situation continues to evolve and the impacts differ by location. By far the most impactful measure implemented is the closure of the international border. This has effectively cut off the major source of population growth – net…
In the second half of 2018, the population of NSW reached 8 million – a milestone that was 230 years in the making. Population wise, NSW is Australia’s largest state, and it is also the state that was first settled by Europeans. The state capital, Sydney, is a global city which is one of the…
It’s often said that Australia builds some of the largest houses in the world. In the second half of the twentieth century the growth of suburbs dominated by separate houses on large blocks has contributed to urban sprawl. In many ways it’s ironic that although contemporary planning policies seek to address these issues eg through…
I don’t normally blog about the March and September quarter population data, but 2020 is different. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, profound impacts on population change. For this reason, the release of the March quarter data by the ABS was highly anticipated due to the progressive restrictions on overseas arrivals…
In common with many western countries, Australia’s population is ageing. This is typically shown by increases in both the number and proportion of older people. But older people are not a homogenous group – they show a wide range of diversity with regard to their social and economic characteristics. This blog will use the latest population…
Working from home became de rigueur for many people in 2020. Travel restrictions and social distancing on account of a contagious virus meant that there was a large increase in the number of people setting up workplaces in their spare room on the kitchen bench. But not all jobs can be done from the comfort…
It’s hard to think of a time in the recent past when people have been so interested in geography. Coronavirus restrictions have changed that. Here in Melbourne, travel and administrative restrictions have reduced the size of our worlds to a 5km radius. Many people are querying the geographic definition of metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria….
