Volume 40 - Article 18 | Pages 463–502  

Estimating multiregional survivorship probabilities for sparse data: An application to immigrant populations in Australia, 1981–2011

By Bernard Baffour, James Raymer

Abstract

Background: Over 28% of the Australian population is born overseas. Understanding where immigrants have settled, and the relative attractiveness of these places in relation to others, is important for understanding the contributions of immigration to society and subnational population growth. However, subsequent demographic analyses of immigration to Australia is complicated because (1) the population is highly urbanised with over 80% living along the coast on an area roughly 3% of the country’s land mass and (2) the diversity of immigration streams results in many immigrant populations with small population numbers.

Objective: The objective of this research is to develop methods for overcoming irregularities in sparse data on age-specific mortality and internal migration to estimate small area multiregional life tables. These life tables are useful for studying the duration of time spent, expressed in years lived, by populations living in specific geographic areas.

Methods: Multiregional life tables are calculated for different immigrant groups from 1981 to 2011 in Australia. To overcome sparse data, indirect estimation techniques are used to smooth, impose and infer age-specific probabilities of mortality and internal migration.

Results: We find that the country or region of birthplace is an important factor in determining both settlement and subsequent internal migration.

Conclusions: Overcoming sparse data on mortality and internal migration allow for the study of the relative attractiveness of places over time for different immigrant populations in Australia. This information provides useful evidence for assessing the effectiveness of policies designed to encourage regional and rural settlement.

Contribution: This information provides useful evidence for assessing the effectiveness of policies designed to encourage regional and rural settlement.

Author's Affiliation

Other articles by the same author/authors in Demographic Research

A dyadic approach to the study of perceived subfecundity and contraceptive use
Volume 47 - Article 1

Integrating uncertainty in time series population forecasts: An illustration using a simple projection model
Volume 29 - Article 43

The temporal dynamics of international migration in Europe: Recent trends
Volume 26 - Article 21

Most recent similar articles in Demographic Research

Internal migration and the de-standardization of the life course: A sequence analysis of reasons for migrating
Volume 46 - Article 12    | Keywords: Australia, Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA), internal migration, life course, sequence analysis

An age–period–cohort approach to disentangling generational differences in family values and religious beliefs: Understanding the modern Australian family today
Volume 45 - Article 20    | Keywords: age-period-cohort effects, Australia, family, generations, HILDA, religious beliefs, social change, values

Projecting the sexual minority population: Methods, data, and illustrative projections for Australia
Volume 45 - Article 12    | Keywords: Australia, LGBTQ, population projections, sexual minority

Union formation under conditions of uncertainty: The objective and subjective sides of employment uncertainty
Volume 45 - Article 5    | Keywords: Australia, employment, first union

When partners’ disagreement prevents childbearing: A couple-level analysis in Australia
Volume 44 - Article 33    | Keywords: Australia, births, couple disagreement, couple level analysis, couples, intentions, low fertility, reproductive decisions