BY SARAH STEPHEN
Australia's immigration intake is non-discriminatory and fair, according to federal immigration minister Philip Ruddock. Yet a comparative analysis of immigration figures indicates that Australia, more markedly than any other British settler state, continues to accept the highest proportion of white, wealthy migrants.
Australia took in an annual average of 88,000 immigrants between 1995 and 2000. Most came from New Zealand, averaging 18% of the total. The second highest number of immigrants came from Britain (11%), then China (8.3%), South Africa (4.9%) and India (3.7%).
New Zealand accepted 30,678 immigrants in 1997/98. The top source country was Britain, 16% of the total. The second highest number of immigrants was from China (14%), then South Africa (11%), India (8%) and Samoa (6%).
Canada accepted 227,209 immigrants in 2000. The top source country was China, with 16% of the total. The second highest number of immigrants came from India (11%), then Pakistan (6%), the Philippines (4%) and South Korea (3%).
In 2000, with an immigration intake of 125,000, Britain's top sources of migrants were Africa and Asia, contributing 74% of the total intake, while only 12% came from Europe and 4% from Oceania.
The United States accepted more than 660,000 immigrants in 1988. The top source country was Mexico, with 25% of the total. The second highest number of immigrants was from the countries of South America, with 7%, then China (6%), India (6%), Central America (5%), the Philippines (5%) and Russia (4.5%). Intake of British immigrants was 1.4% and Canadians made up 1.5% of the overall intake.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, January 23, 2002.
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