Aussies stop having kids as a MILLION migrants flood into Australia on Anthony Albanese’s watch
More than a million migrants have flooded into Australia on Anthony Albanese’s watch – and now couples are having fewer children.
Unaffordable housing is stopping couples from having children, making Australia reliant upon high immigration to provide a tax base and support an ageing population, experts say.
Australia’s fertility rate – or the number of children a woman gives birth to during her lifetime – has fallen to a record-low of 1.5.
The level in 2023 was well below the ‘replacement level’ of two and half the level of the early 1960s before the contraceptive pill was widely used.
The e61 Institute think tank has suggested unaffordable housing, and other cost-of-living factors, was discouraging couples from having children.
Houses in capital cities now typically cost more than $1million, meaning only a dual-income couple can afford a home with a backyard that would be suitable for children.
Since Labor came to power in 2022, more than a million migrants have moved to Australia, new figures have revealed, with house prices continuing to rise in the face of aggressive interest rate hikes.
American-trained economists Rose Khattar and Pelin Akyol argued expensive housing and the requirement for two working parents meant they had to fork out for expensive childcare had contributed to a decline in fertility.
More than a million migrants have flooded into Australia on Anthony Albanese ‘s watch – and now couples are having fewer children
Un affordable housing is stopping couples from having children as Australia relies on high immigration to cope with an ageing population, experts say (pictured is a Sydney mum with her baby)
‘Some have argued that economic pressures and cost of living are key drivers,’ they said.
‘For instance, housing affordability could be a contributor, especially in major cities where the challenges are greatest.
‘High child care costs, despite government initiatives, could also be a deterrent to having children.’
From June 2022 to December 2024, 1,007,600 migrants moved to Australia on a permanent and long-term basis, with the influx of skilled migrants and international students hitting record-high levels since Labor was elected.
The Institute of Public Affairs think tank’s deputy executive director Daniel Wild said 1,000 migrants had arrived every day under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s watch.
‘Australians struggling to get by are being smashed by the effects of unplanned migration, such as rising housing and rent costs, and crumbling infrastructure and services,’ he said.
Australia’s net overseas immigration levels last year moderated from record-high levels above 500,000.
But the 444,480 level for 2024 was still quadruple the 100,000 per annum intake that had lasted until the late 1990s, before immigration levels tripled by the late 2000s.
Australia’s fertility rate – or the number of children a woman gives birth to during her lifetime – last year fell to a record-low of 1.5
American-trained economists Rose Khattar (pictured) and Pelin Akyol argued expensive housing in Australia meant couples also had to fork out for childcare just to be able to service a mortgage and commute to and from work
Like other first-world nations, Australia has relied on high immigration to boost the available pool of labour and broaden the income tax base, to cope with the cost of providing more government services to an ageing population.
Ms Khattar and Dr Akyol noted public opposition to high immigration was increasing.
‘With both major parties suggesting cuts to migration ahead of this year’s federal election, it may be time to rethink how Australia manages its demographic challenges,’ they said.
‘Migration has proven to be an effective demographic management tool already for Australia, but political support for high immigration has receded.
‘As a result, policymakers may need to begin to look elsewhere.’
The economists argued couples would only have more children if they could afford to.
‘Addressing declining fertility isn’t about forcing people to have more children,’ they said.
‘It’s about creating conditions where people can choose to have the number of children they desire without significant barriers.
‘Policies that improve housing affordability, paid parental leave that’s better shared between new parents, cheaper child care, and greater workplace flexibility are just a few ideas floated as potential solutions.’
Australia’s fertility level slipped below the ‘two’ level for the first time in 1978 but it briefly returned to the replacement level in 2008, after John Howard’s Coalition government had introduced a lump-sum $3,000 baby bonus in 2004.
New parents now get a $667 upfront payment that’s not taxed, and $2,004 for their first child, paid over 13 weeks.
For subsequent children, it is $668.85 also spread over 13 weeks.
Women are also having children later in life compared with previous generations with the more new mothers aged 30 to 34, than those aged 25 to 29, since 2000.
The proportion of women having children in their late thirties is now comparable with the number being pregnant in their late twenties, with women now delaying motherhood until they had established a career.
