Population and Settlement: Population Dynamics

Case Study: An Under-populated Country - Australia

Background Information

• Land Mass: Australia's land mass is vast, classified as one of the seven continents.
• Size Comparison: Nearly as large as the USA.
• Population: 26 million, less than Malaysia.
• Population Density: One of the most sparsely populated countries with 3 people per square kilometer.
• Population Distribution: Most people live near the coast, 80% in the southeast region.
• Urbanization: 90% live on just 0.22% of the land area, making it highly urbanized.

Reasons for Underpopulation

• Natural Resources:
  • Rich in coal, gold, natural gas, metal ores, and uranium.
  • Surplus resources are exported.
  • 2017 exports valued over US$200 billion.
  • GDP per capita nearly US$50,000.
• Immigration Policy:
  • Encourages immigration to develop resources and address shortages in skilled professions (e.g., nurses, engineers).
  • Encourages settlement in remote rural areas to combat out-migration.

Problems Due to Underpopulation

• Worker Shortage:
  • Low fertility rates and an aging population lead to a predicted shortfall of 2.3 million workers by 2030.
• Higher Taxes:
  • Over 40% of the workforce expected to retire in the next 20 years.
  • Possible tax increases for existing workers, potentially leading to emigration.
• Rising Conflicts:
  • Labour shortages make Australia attractive to immigrants.
  • Tensions arise in major cities over cultural threats.
• Closure of Public Services:
  • Schools, hospitals, and transport links may close due to insufficient population support.