Opening up the Doors to Immigrants Is the Best Solution in Tackling the Problem of Australia’s Ageing Population

‘Opening up the doors to immigrants is the best solution in tackling the problem of Australia’s ageing population’ (Affirmative)

As part of the response to this future situation, it has been suggested that we should reduce the extent or speed of ageing through changes to immigration policy. According to the 2010 Intergerational  report launched by Wayne Swan, it argues that with the population set to hit 35 million by 2050 the country's immigration intake will need to be maintained or boosted to help pay for the increased costs. So it is expected that in the next 40 years, the number of Australians aged 64 to 84 will double, so will health spending. The large number of baby boomers is set to cause a great drop in workforce participation rates so there will be a shortage of people to work in these areas and fill the growing markets. As immigrants are younger in average than the Australian population, an increase in the level of immigration would reduce the ageing of the population and keep the population young.  To strengthen the case, it has also been suggested that the immigration program should recruit persons who are younger than the immigrants that enter Australia now.

 Former treasurer, Wayne Swan says that over the next 40 years net overseas migration will average around 180,000 per year, compared to around 110,000 now. Immigration currently provides 60 per cent of Australia's population growth, but within the next few years it will be the only source of net labour force growth in Australia. Without immigration, labour force growth will almost cease within the next decade.

This is supported by Kim Beazley, Leader of the Opposition who states ‘Labour knows that immigration can help keep our population young’. From a purely economic view point, Australia will need to increase immigration in the coming years if we wish to maintain the current standard of living.