Aussies Down Under to be outnumbered by migrants within 15 years: Survey

MELBOURNE - A new survey has indicated that an Australian-born family in the country will be outnumbered by migrants from Europe and Asia, and become a minority group by 2025.

Figures from demographic consultants, Macroplan Australia, show that record overseas migration and an ageing population mean migrant families will overtake the number of locally born residents within 15 years, far sooner than previously imagined.

The figures are set to infuriate some Australian citizens, who claim the population is already too big, and infrastructure is tumbling under the strain.

However, Macroplan Chief Executive Brian Haratsis said: “While immigration needs to be managed with better infrastructure, we also need high immigration for sound economic reasons - if we don’t, we’ll all end up paying higher taxes.”

The figures also revealed that most migrants come from Britain (14.2 percent), followed by New Zealand (11.4 percent), India (11.2) and China (10.5), The Daily Telegraph reports.

According to 2006 census data, 40 percent of Australia’s population was either born overseas or had at least one parent, who was born abroad.

However, at present immigration levels, that proportion will jump to more than 50 percent by 2025. (ANI)