CONTRIBUTORS
Ashton Reid
Portfolio Manager
Permanent and long-term net arrivals is an excellent monthly proxy for Australia’s net migration trends. Pleasingly, this statistic is now painting a far rosier picture in comparison of the COVID lows.
We find this metric worth watching as population growth is a key contributor to the growing demand profile for real assets, and the return of migration is a major driver underpinning our accelerating growth outlook for the sector in this post-COVID world. Here we look at what the latest figures tell us about Australia’s virtuous cycle of population growth.
Arrivals are a strong leading indicator for long-term population growth
The significant turnaround in net arrivals paints a rosy picture for Australia’s net migration and long-term prosperity from strong population growth. As can be seen in the following chart, the August 2022 release of permanent and long-term net arrival metrics have surpassed previous highs by an order of magnitude.
Permanent and long-term net arrivals (rolling 12 months, in thousands)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); as of 30 August 2022.
ABS: 3401.0 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, Table 1: Total Movement, Arrivals - Category of Movement and Table 2: Total Movement, Departures - Category of Movement; data through August 2022, release 11 October 2022
Net overseas migration (4-quarter sum) and Monthly net permanent & long-term arrivals (annualised 3-month sum). Seasonally adjusted data used. Available from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/latest-release#data-download
Student visas are leading the revival
Students have always been a sizeable part of Australia’s long-term visa mix. The latest visa data continues to suggest that most of the increase in Australia’s net overseas migration has been in net international student arrivals.
Permanent and long-term net arrivals by source (rolling 12 months, in thousands)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); as of 30 August 2022.
ABS: 3401.0 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, Table 15: Total Arrivals and Total Departures - Visa Group: Original; data through August 2022, release 11 October 2022
Net overseas migration (4-quarter sum), Net arrivals of student visa holders and Net arrivals of all visa holders excluding temporary visitor and "other" visa holders (12-month sum). Seasonally adjusted data used. Available from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/latest-release#data-download
Australia’s natural population growth is supercharged by strong net migration
Improving migration is also a ‘super-charging’ factor in improving Australia’s already high natural rate of increase relative to both the developed and developing world.
Long term population trends (thousand people)
Source: Martin Currie Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); as of 30 September 2022.
ABS: 3101.0 Australian Demographic Statistics, Table 1. Population Change, Summary - Australia ('000); data through March 2022, release 21 September 2022. Available from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/latest-release
The virtuous circle of population growth for Real Assets
Our key investment thesis for the listed Real Assets we invest in for our income strategies is that as the population grows, so too will demand for Real Assets to service everyday needs. These recent metrics are both exciting and reassuring news that Australia’s population growth story is back on track. This is good news for the broader economy and our listed Real Asset investments.
In my view, a virtuous cycle of population growth is the “secret sauce” of Australia’s long-term ‘business model’.
More specifically, by attracting relatively young, well-educated new citizens with their future economic prosperity ahead of them, Australia maintains an enviable position globally.
One of the ways we do this is through student migration intake; whereby once students have completed their studies, the prospect of remaining in Australia holds strong appeal by accumulating points with a view to becoming a long-term resident and eventually an Australian citizen.
Re-enforcing these strong drivers of population growth, October 2022’s Federal mini-budget saw migration expectations upgraded to 235k net arrivals in FY23 from the prior expectation of 180k. This would see population growth rebound to 1.4% year on year. Based on recent arrivals measures, these government forecasts may prove to be conservative.
While parts of Asia (most notably China) have retained elements of lockdown, I think Australia’s appeal as a global destination has only increased post-Covid. We remain a popular destination given all that our lifestyle offers, the abundant employment opportunities and generally being a wonderful place to raise a family.
This virtuous cycle looks set to continue for the long-term.
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