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, 64% (35,121) of people in Melbourne (part) were born overseas, compared with 54.7% in Melbourne (C). A further 26.6% (14,618) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Melbourne (part) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Melbourne (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
8,279
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
8,279
15.1%
-6.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,180
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
5,180
9.4%
-2.7pp
India
2021 count
3,865
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
3,865
7.0%
+1.3pp
Malaysia
2021 count
3,407
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
3,407
6.2%
-1.0pp
Indonesia
2021 count
2,007
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,007
3.7%
-0.1pp
Thailand
2021 count
1,403
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,403
2.6%
+0.2pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
2021 count
1,184
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,184
2.2%
-1.2pp
Vietnam
2021 count
1,150
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,150
2.1%
+0.9pp
Philippines
2021 count
1,150
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,150
2.1%
+1.2pp
New Zealand
2021 count
1,037
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,037
1.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
-1,862
-6.4pp
Not stated
-540
-2.7pp
India
+1,166
+1.3pp
Malaysia
+3
-1.0pp
Indonesia
+189
-0.1pp
Thailand
+261
+0.2pp
Korea, Republic of (South)
-427
-1.2pp
Vietnam
+605
+0.9pp
Philippines
+735
+1.2pp
New Zealand
+273
+0.3pp
Data table
Birthplace for Melbourne (part). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 8,279 | 15.1% | 11.2% | 10,141 | 21.5% | 15.8% | -1,862 | -6.4pp |
| Not stated | 5,180 | 9.4% | 7.3% | 5,720 | 12.1% | 11.6% | -540 | -2.7pp |
| India | 3,865 | 7.0% | 6.7% | 2,699 | 5.7% | 4.5% | +1,166 | +1.3pp |
| Malaysia | 3,407 | 6.2% | 4.1% | 3,404 | 7.2% | 4.9% | +3 | -1.0pp |
| Indonesia | 2,007 | 3.7% | 2.2% | 1,818 | 3.8% | 2.4% | +189 | -0.1pp |
| Thailand | 1,403 | 2.6% | 1.5% | 1,142 | 2.4% | 1.3% | +261 | +0.2pp |
| Korea, Republic of (South) | 1,184 | 2.2% | 1.6% | 1,611 | 3.4% | 2.3% | -427 | -1.2pp |
| Vietnam | 1,150 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 545 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +605 | +0.9pp |
| Philippines | 1,150 | 2.1% | 1.5% | 415 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +735 | +1.2pp |
| New Zealand | 1,037 | 1.9% | 2.1% | 764 | 1.6% | 2.1% | +273 | +0.3pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.