Could immigration fix the labour and tax shortages once the baby boomers start retiring in 2-5 years?
I live in Australia, we have a measly 30,000 immigrants each year. Australia in land area is about the same sizea as the USA who has 300million people, we have 21million, though 80%+ of australia is too dry to live in. In saying that, there are towns like Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Tamworth and many others that could take 5million each with the right planning. When the baby boomers start retiring in a few years time, there is going to be a huge strain on the federal budget. Wouldn't it be a good idea to open the gates wide open to immigration and let these hard working, potentially tax paying, asylum seekers in? I just don't get the snobby attitude, we are so rich compared to other countries. what are your thoughts?
Public Comments
- For the last 20 years or so the birth rate in Australia has fallen below the replacement rate meaning that without significant increases in immigration Australia’s population would eventually begin to fall. With fewer babies being born, and more people living longer, it is inevitable that the population will get progressively older. It is estimated that 25% of the Australian population will be over the age of 65 in about 30 years. But increasing the number of immigrants would only be a temporary solution unless the number of immigrants increased with each passing year since they would age along with everyone else in the country. Here in the US, the birth rate is one of the highest among industrialized nations in addition to which there is a very high level of legal and illegal immigration that keeps our work force solvent.
- unless you make it law that everyone is put to sleep at 65 immigration is the only answer i wish there where more people like you in the UK that where bright enough to see the problem and understand its the only way to solve it
- In the UK we have already been told WE will have to work till 70 or 75 to clean up the mess the previous generation has made (the New Labour mob, who are mainly in their late 50s, the ringleaders).
