FACTBase Bulletin 29 - Changes and Trends in Perth’s Cultural Diversity: Country of Birth Change and Diversity 2001-­2011

This FACTBase Bulletin focuses on ethnic diversity (demographic multiculturalism) as measured by the country of birth of Australians at the metropolitan and local government level in Perth relative to change in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Key Findings

• Since pre-colonisation, Australia has been a multicultural nation.
• In contemporary Australia, Western Australia is the most multicultural state when compared with South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
• Migrants from the ‘Anglo-sphere’ account for 15% of total Western Australian population and comprise the largest group of migrants.
• In 2001, Perth had the second highest level of overseas born population and by 2011, had jumped to the highest level.
• From 2001 to 2011, the number of Perth local governments in the top quartile of the Shannon’s H Diversity Index grew from 4 to 5 (being Perth, Belmont, Canning, Vincent and Subiaco).