Case study 2: Under-population in Australia

Question 1

Population density in Australia

Answer 1

2.6 people per km2

Question 2

Population of Australia

Answer 2

21.7 million

Question 3

What are the positive effects of under-population in Australia? (economy)

Answer 3

• Low unemployment: 75% of pop. work on the service sector.
• Rich in resources (coal+Iron) + potential for renewable energies (solar+wind): resources can be exported (e.g. Newcastle Koorang carbon port.
• GDP: US$ 41,300.

Question 4

What are the positive effects of under-population in Australia? (Social, services)

Answer 4

Education: Available for 21 years, 99% literate.

Good healthcare: 0.5% infant mortality.

Question 5

What are the negative effects of under-population in Australia? (economic)

Answer 5

Shortage of workers: can’t produce their own goods (lot of imports); expensive; drain in the local economy: small markets where there’s less investors (so less businesses)

Question 6

What are the negative effects of under-population in Australia? (social, services)

Answer 6

• Problems to support retired population.

- Infrastructural gap in Sydney’s commuter belt: 28 days/year struck on traffic.

Question 7

PSD in Australia

Answer 7

Newcastle Koran Carbon Port
Sydney’s commuter belt
Northern Territory (region with low pop density)