BRISBANE—South-east Queensland has become one of Australia's hubs of multiculturalism, the latest population statistics show.
Releasing a report, entitled Queensland Characteristics, which draws on data from the latest census, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today said the state was benefiting from continued growth in interstate and overseas migration.
The report shows one in four people living on the Gold Coast were born outside of Australia, while one in five of those living in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast were born overseas.
The data also reveals Cantonese and Mandarin have become the second language of the south-east, while in the rest of Queensland indigenous languages are the most common non-English language.
"The south-east corner is truly the state's, and indeed one of the nation's, multicultural hubs," Ms Bligh said.
"The pattern of overseas-born migrants flocking to the south-east corner is in no doubt due to our enviable lifestyle and robust economy."
The state's resources boom remains a drawcard for many of the 60,000 people moving to Queensland each year, with the north-west the main beneficiary.
That region is home to the youngest average population, and the state's highest median income, while it is also home to the youngest population, Treasurer Andrew Fraser said.
"Younger people are flocking to this area to take advantage of the resources boom, but they are not buying homes and putting down roots for any length of time," Mr Fraser said.
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