How many Chinese are there in Australia: population structure, distribution and trend analysis
Australia is one of the representative countries of multiculturalism, and the Chinese community has always been an important part of it. In recent years, with the adjustment of immigration policies and changes in the international situation, the number and structure of the Chinese population in Australia have also undergone significant changes. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of the current situation of Australian Chinese through structured data.
1. Total Chinese population in Australia

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), as of 2023, Australia's Chinese population (including immigrants and native-born) has exceeded 1.4 million, accounting for about 5.5% of the country's total population. The following is the growth trend of the Chinese population in the past five years:
| Year | Chinese population | Proportion of total population |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | About 1.2 million | 4.8% |
| 2023 | About 1.4 million | 5.5% |
2. Regional distribution characteristics
Australian Chinese are mainly concentrated in large cities on the east coast, with Sydney and Melbourne having the highest proportion of Chinese. The specific distribution is as follows:
| city/region | Chinese population | Proportion of local population |
|---|---|---|
| sydney | About 550,000 | 10.8% |
| Melbourne | About 400,000 | 8.2% |
| brisbane | about 120,000 | 4.5% |
| Perth | about 80,000 | 3.8% |
3. Sources and composition of immigrants
Australian Chinese mainly consist of the following groups:
| group type | Proportion | Main features |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled immigration | 45% | Highly educated, younger |
| family reunification immigration | 30% | The age structure is older |
| International students | 15% | Strong liquidity |
| Investment immigration | 10% | Strong economic strength |
4. Social influence and economic contribution
The Chinese community has an increasingly significant impact on Australia’s economy and culture:
| field | Contribution performance | Data indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Catering industry | Number of Chinese restaurants | More than 12,000 stores in Australia |
| Education industry | international students | Chinese students account for 28% |
| real estate | Proportion of Chinese housing purchases | Sydney’s popular areas reach 15% |
5. Future development trends
According to demographers’ predictions, Australia’s Chinese population may exceed 1.8 million by 2030. The main reasons include:
1.Immigration policy remains open:Skilled immigration quotas remain high to attract professional talents;
2.Increased attractiveness of education:Australian universities remain highly attractive to Chinese students;
3.Family reunification needs:Relative-based immigration for existing immigrant groups will continue to grow.
It is worth noting that the degree of localization of the second and third generation Chinese continues to increase. While retaining their traditional culture, they are also more integrated into mainstream Australian society.
Conclusion
As an important bridge connecting China and Australia, the Australian Chinese community continues to expand in population size and social influence. Through the above structured data analysis, we can clearly see the development trajectory and future potential of this group. Whether it is for policy makers, business investors or cultural researchers, these data have important reference value.
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