Cultural diversity
Birthplace
About this topic
Birthplace records the country in which a person was born. It is a core measure of migration history and cultural diversity and helps distinguish Australia-born and overseas-born populations.
This topic is useful for understanding settlement patterns and the likely language, service, and support needs of different communities. It should be interpreted together with ancestry, language used at home, and religion for a fuller view of cultural diversity.
Interpretation notes
- Country of birth measures birthplace only; it does not capture ancestry, ethnicity, or current citizenship on its own.
- Use birthplace with ancestry and language when interpreting cultural background, because many cultural groups include both Australia-born and overseas-born people.
Key insight
In 2021, 34.1% (27,481) of people in Darwin (C) were born overseas, compared with 27.8% in Greater Darwin. A further 58% (46,679) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Darwin (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Darwin (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Darwin and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darwin (C), with comparison markers for Greater Darwin.
Not stated
2021 count
6,322
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
6,322
7.9%
-3.4pp
Philippines
2021 count
3,331
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,331
4.1%
-0.2pp
India
2021 count
2,964
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
2,964
3.7%
+1.0pp
Nepal
2021 count
2,305
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
2,305
2.9%
+1.8pp
England
2021 count
2,238
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,238
2.8%
-0.5pp
New Zealand
2021 count
1,347
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,347
1.7%
-0.3pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
1,213
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,213
1.5%
+0.3pp
Greece
2021 count
1,009
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,009
1.3%
-0.1pp
Indonesia
2021 count
965
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
965
1.2%
+0.3pp
Sri Lanka
2021 count
894
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
894
1.1%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Not stated
-2,570
-3.4pp
Philippines
-34
-0.2pp
India
+856
+1.0pp
Nepal
+1,405
+1.8pp
England
-378
-0.5pp
New Zealand
-253
-0.3pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
+258
+0.3pp
Greece
-114
-0.1pp
Indonesia
+222
+0.3pp
Sri Lanka
+368
+0.4pp
Data table
Birthplace for Darwin (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Darwin.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | % | Greater Darwin% | Count | pp | |
| Not stated | 6,322 | 7.9% | 8.4% | 8,892 | 11.3% | 11.7% | -2,570 | -3.4pp |
| Philippines | 3,331 | 4.1% | 3.8% | 3,365 | 4.3% | 3.6% | -34 | -0.2pp |
| India | 2,964 | 3.7% | 2.7% | 2,108 | 2.7% | 2.0% | +856 | +1.0pp |
| Nepal | 2,305 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 900 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +1,405 | +1.8pp |
| England | 2,238 | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2,616 | 3.3% | 3.1% | -378 | -0.5pp |
| New Zealand | 1,347 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1,600 | 2.0% | 2.1% | -253 | -0.3pp |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 1,213 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 955 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +258 | +0.3pp |
| Greece | 1,009 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 1,123 | 1.4% | 0.9% | -114 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesia | 965 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 743 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +222 | +0.3pp |
| Sri Lanka | 894 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 526 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +368 | +0.4pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.