UNDERPOPULATION - Australia

Question 1

What is the population of Australia?

Answer 1

20 million

Question 2

What are the problems with undepopulation?

Answer 2

• Shortage of workers - only has an 11.6 million workforce. Workforce will go into decline by 2020.
• Resources like coal, uranium, iron ore, copper and gold are wasted because there are not enough workers to exploit them with.
• Threat to national security.
• Has high imports and low exports. Balance of trade is -3000.

Question 3

What are the solutions of underpopulation?

Answer 3

• Encourage migration by lowering VISA requirements.
• Enforce pro-natal policy.
• Expand the economy through foreign investment.
• Increase taxes and retirement age.

Question 4

Why should Australia increase population?

Answer 4

• Would put more land to use. Current population density is 2.6/km2.
• Young immigrants could help an ageing population.
• Could provide enough workers for solar, tidal and wind power.
• Could attract foreign investment.

Question 5

Why should Australia avoid increasing its population?

Answer 5

• Could increase pollution. Even with a smaller population, Australia generates 2x Germany’s pollution.
• Immigrants would age eventually.
• High population =/ prosperous population. Argentinians only earn 3.5% as much as Australians do but have a higher population.
• A large population is not necessary to boost its own companies. Nokia, for example, comes from Finland.
• Would exhaust the soi. 35% of Australia is desert.
• Unemployment already 5.8%.