THE DEMOGRAPHY OF THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 17, Heft 2, S. 232-245

Abstract

The Aboriginal pop is excluded from published demographic data on the pop of Australia. However, improved census enumeration & vital registration of the Aborigines in recent yrs makes estimates of their demographic characteristics possible. The results of an exploratory study of such data in the Northern Territory are reported. In 1961, census enumeration as well as estimates made by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory estimated a pop of 19,704 Aborigines in the Territory, of whom 2,318 were classified as part-Aborigines. The Registrar of Wards of the Welfare Branch provides data on the age & sex structure; smoothing procedures used to improve the age distribution are described. Estimates of the crude birth & death rates indicate a rate of natural increase of approximately 15.5 per 1,000 pop. Analysis of age-specific fertility & mortality rates suggests that further pop increase can be expected. Improved health & econ conditions may increase the completed fertility of Aboriginal F's by as much as 50%, & marked reduction of infant mortality can be expected. Growth of the Aboriginal pop was inconceivable 50 yrs ago, & is evidence of a rising standard of living among the Aborigines. P. Metzger.