Population
Parts of Japan ‘likely to vanish’ as population shrinks
Japan’s population has recorded its biggest single-year decrease in history, falling by 861,000 people, as the government grapples with measures to reverse the trend.
- by Lisa Visentin
Latest
Baby drought grips Brisbane as a ‘great contraceptive’ emerges
Birth rates are plunging across inner and middle suburbs as cost-of-living pressures drive families to the city’s fringe.
- by Marissa Calligeros, Josh Gordon and Sean Parnell
Baby recession grips Perth as births drop to lowest level in two decades
Perth’s birth rate is the lowest it’s been since 2006, and it has not seen such a sharp fall in births since the contraceptive pill was introduced in the 1970s.
- by Sarah Brookes
Melbourne in the grip of baby drought as rent becomes ‘a great contraceptive’
A plunge in birth rates in parts of Melbourne is being blamed on a lack of affordable housing and other cost-of-living pressures.
- by Josh Gordon
Sydney’s ‘baby recession’: Where births have plunged most
This map reveals the suburbs with Sydney’s lowest fertility rates.
- by Matt Wade
Sold for $150k more than listed: The Girrawheen home with 90 groups through at first home open
A growing number of West Aussies can’t find a rental, but also can’t afford to buy a home – or even if they can, can’t find a place to buy.
- by Sarah Brookes
Perspective
Healthcare
A day – and an unexpected night – in the emergency ward
After spending a day as an observer in the state’s busiest emergency department, there is an unforeseen personal visit to another emergency ward.
- by Tony Wright
The country town that’s set to double in population
It’s a sleepy town just beyond Melbourne’s northern outskirts where geese stop traffic and there is a country feel – but a big change could be coming.
- by Benjamin Preiss
Record surge in immigrants starts to slow
Australia’s population swelled by a record 651,200 people last year, driven by net migration. There are signs migration is slowing and births continue to tumble.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Immigration
Politicians don’t control immigrant numbers, and usually don’t want to
Politicians could exercise more control over immigration, but neither side has particularly wanted to.
- by Ross Gittins
The ‘extraordinary numbers’ signalling years of pain for renters
An expert analysis shows migration, low vacancy rates and soft investment will drive rental inflation beyond its current 15-year high.
- by Rachel Clun