SUBMISSION 

to

Economic Impact of Migration and Population Growth Study

Dear study team,

I would like to congratulate you on this very comprehensive study. 

Currently,I am conducting a PhD study in which I investigate qualitatively the experiences of German migrants to Australian and New Zealand throughout their migration process (emigration and immigration) (http://giip.massey.ac.nz). I accompany 17 Germans to gain an understanding of their perspective of the migration process. The study will be able to contribute answers to several questions you are asking in about a year.

At the moment I would like to just comment on the aim of your study. While I can appreciate the importance of finding out how migration and population growth impact on the productivity growth of the Australian economy, it is important that the study emphasis that economic issues are only one side of the coin. You define living standards in economic terms. However, living standard is increasingly defined by people with regards to their level of health, well-being, and happiness. One of the major reasons why immigrants choose to migrate to Australia is the value they place on the Australian lifestyle (Khoo, Hugo, & Voigt-Graf, 2005). Important constitutions of this lifestyle are a less stressful life and more opportunities for contact with nature than in other industrialised countries. A less stressful lifestyle means that people are more friendly and able to live a more balanced life (i.e. work-leisure balance). These features facilitate health, well-being and happiness. However, these features are closely connected to the population density. Hence, there is a risk that population growth negatively impact on the Australian lifestyle, weakening one factor that contributes to the decision by skilled immigrants to choose Australia as a migration destination. Consequently, it seems to be crucial for the health, and well-being of the Australian population as well as retaining Australia’s position as an attractive immigration destination to complement research on the economic impact with that on health and well-being to achieve a balance.

Kind regards,

Petra T. Buergelt

Reference
Khoo, S., Hugo, G. J., & Voigt-Graf (2005). A global labour market: Factors motivating the sponsorship and international migration of skilled workers. Paper presented at the XXV International Population Conference 18.-23. July, Tours, France.