In this report we confirm the finding of all previous empirical studies that substantial ageing of our population in the next 30 years is inevitable. As the quotations above indicate, until recently, Withers and the committees or organisations that he headed were consistent in their support of the view that immigration could have only a marginal impact upon ageing of the population. But some demographers assert it cannot do so in the future, a view accepted by Government and used as a justification for lower immigration. This paper argues that the Government view and its demographic underpinnings are wrong. Once deficiencies in conventional demographic methodology are allowed for, a much more significant impact of immigration is describable.
Immigration is also good for our society.
An ageing society is not a creative and vibrant society. A younger Australia can be. Fortunately, Australia's population has not yet reached age profiles like Japan or Germany.