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, 28.8% (130,514) of people in Unincorporated ACT were born overseas, compared with 28.8% in Australian Capital Territory. A further 67.5% (306,517) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Unincorporated ACT - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
India
2021 count
17,188
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
17,188
3.8%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
16,826
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
16,826
3.7%
-1.9pp
England
2021 count
13,237
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
13,237
2.9%
-0.3pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
12,141
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
12,141
2.7%
-0.2pp
Nepal
2021 count
5,686
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
5,686
1.3%
+1.1pp
New Zealand
2021 count
5,096
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
5,096
1.1%
-0.1pp
Philippines
2021 count
5,051
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,051
1.1%
+0.1pp
Vietnam
2021 count
4,077
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,077
0.9%
+0.1pp
United States of America
2021 count
3,369
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,369
0.7%
0.0pp
Sri Lanka
2021 count
3,306
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,306
0.7%
0.0pp
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
India
+6,781
+1.2pp
Not stated
-5,303
-1.9pp
England
+497
-0.3pp
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
+808
-0.2pp
Nepal
+4,920
+1.1pp
New Zealand
+373
-0.1pp
Philippines
+1,259
+0.1pp
Vietnam
+737
+0.1pp
United States of America
+595
0.0pp
Sri Lanka
+532
0.0pp
Data table
Birthplace for Unincorporated ACT. Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| India | 17,188 | 3.8% | 3.8% | 10,407 | 2.6% | 2.6% | +6,781 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 16,826 | 3.7% | 3.7% | 22,129 | 5.6% | 5.6% | -5,303 | -1.9pp |
| England | 13,237 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 12,740 | 3.2% | 3.2% | +497 | -0.3pp |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 12,141 | 2.7% | 2.7% | 11,333 | 2.9% | 2.9% | +808 | -0.2pp |
| Nepal | 5,686 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 766 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4,920 | +1.1pp |
| New Zealand | 5,096 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 4,723 | 1.2% | 1.2% | +373 | -0.1pp |
| Philippines | 5,051 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 3,792 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +1,259 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnam | 4,077 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 3,340 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +737 | +0.1pp |
| United States of America | 3,369 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2,774 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +595 | 0.0pp |
| Sri Lanka | 3,306 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2,774 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +532 | 0.0pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.