New data out today reveals population growth in Western Australia remains subdued, with only a slight rise recorded in the year to June, while nationally the population increased 1.6 per cent.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed WA’s population increased by 21,700, or 0.8 per cent, to about 2.6 million.
The state continued its recent trend of negative net interstate migration, with about 11,300 people leaving WA for other states in the 2018 financial year.
Overseas migration boosted the state’s population by about 13,500, while the natural increase was 19,500.
WA’s annual population growth rate troughed at a historical low of 0.6 per cent in the middle of 2016, but has slowly increased.
The modest growth over the past two years contrasts with peak growth rates of 3.5 per cent in late 2008, and then again at 3.4 per cent in September 2012.
Nationally, the population increased 1.6 per cent, or 390,500 to about 25 million in the year to June.
“The population grew by 1.6 per cent over the year to June 2018, which is down from 1.7 per cent over the same period in 2017,” HIA senior economist Geordan Murray said.
“A falling contribution from net overseas migration was the main factor behind the decline. Growth due to overseas migration was down by over 26,000 people in 2018, which is 10.1 per cent less than in 2017.
“Australia needs more skilled workers to sustain ongoing economic growth.
“Given Australia’s aging population, attracting skilled workers from overseas has become increasingly important.
“The decline in migration that we are seeing now is a consequence of the federal government making it considerably more difficult for skilled migrants to come to Australia at the same time that our economy is losing its competitive edge.
“Australia’s migration policy has become less welcoming at the same time as the opportunities in other parts of the world have improved.
“Over the last twenty years Australia has been very successful in attracting skilled workers to our shores. This has been an important factor underpinning our record run of continuous economic growth. If we are going to extend this run of growth then migration will have a huge role to play.”
