India Tops England as Australia‘s Largest Migrant Group for First Time
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Demographics & Migration
CANBERRA — For the first time since Australia became a nation in 1901, the United Kingdom is no longer the largest source of foreign-born residents. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirms that India has officially become Australia’s largest migrant group, narrowly surpassing those born in England .
India-born residents now number 971,020, representing 5.2% of Australia’s total population. This figure slightly edges out the 970,950 residents born in England . The shift marks the end of a long historical trend where those with English origins consistently formed the backbone of Australia’s overseas-born community.
“Some 971,020 people in Australia — or 5.2% of the population — were born in India, narrowly surpassing the 970,950 born in England.”
— Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
📊 The Numbers Behind the Shift
The rise of the Indian-Australian community has been dramatic over the past decade. The Indian-born population has more than doubled, soaring from approximately 449,040 in 2015 to the current figure of 971,020 . During this period, their share of the population grew from 1.9% to 3.5% .
In contrast, the England-born population has been in a slow decline. It has slipped from just over one million in 2013 to 970,950 today . Their share of the population also fell from 4.2% to 3.5% over the last decade .
| Ranking | Country of Birth | Estimated Population | Share of Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | India | 971,020 | 5.2% |
| #2 | England | 970,950 | 5.2% |
| #3 | China | 732,000 | ~2.7% |
| #4 | New Zealand | 638,000 | ~2.3% |
The ABS figures released on Tuesday reflect data as of June 30, 2025 . Other Asian nations also feature prominently in the top ten, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia .
🌏 Drivers of the Demographic Shift
Demographers attribute the surge in the Indian-born population primarily to a significant influx of international students and skilled migrants . Australia’s strong labor market and high demand for skilled professionals in sectors like information technology, health care, and trades have made it a top destination for Indian nationals.
Bob Birrell, a demographer, noted that Indian migrants tend to integrate fairly well, often possessing elementary English language skills that allow them to perform service roles effectively, although they also face the same housing pressures as other groups .
💬 Political and Economic Context
While migration has long been a key pillar of Australia’s 30-year economic expansion, helping the country avoid a technical recession except for a brief period during the pandemic, the rapid growth is fueling a political debate .
The share of overseas-born residents in Australia has now climbed to 32% in 2025, up from 29.5% in 2022 . This demographic reality is colliding with a severe housing shortage. As a result, immigration is becoming an increasingly sensitive issue, providing a political tailwind for populist groups like Pauline Hanson‘s One Nation, which has campaigned against current migration levels .
Despite the political friction, the Indian-Australian community continues to grow and strengthen its cultural and economic footprint across the nation, cementing its place as a vital part of Australia’s diverse social fabric.
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