In financial year 2023, it is estimated that almost 93 thousand more Indians migrated to Australia than emigrated, This marked the highest net overseas migration from India within the measured period.

As of 2024, there were a total of over *** thousand Indians living in Australia. Out of this population, ****** belonged to the Persons of Indian Origin category.

Migrants from the United Kingdom have long been Australia’s primary immigrant group and in 2023 there were roughly 960 thousand English-born people living in Australia. India and China held second and third place respectively with regard to Australia’s foreign-born population. The relative dominance of Asian countries in the list of top ten foreign-born residents of Australia represents a significant shift in Australia’s immigration patterns over the past few decades. Where European-born migrants had previously overshadowed other migrant groups, Australian migration figures are now showing greater migration numbers from neighboring countries in Asia and the Pacific. A history of migration Australia is often referred to as an ‘immigrant nation’, alongside the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Before the Second World War, migrants to Australia were almost exclusively from the UK, however after 1945, Australia’s immigration policy was broadened to attract economic migrants and temporary skilled migrants. These policy changes saw and increase in immigrants particularly from Greece and Italy. Today, Australia maintains its status as an ‘’Immigrant nation’’, with almost 30 percent of the population born overseas and around 50 percent of the population having both that were born overseas. Australian visas The Australian immigration program has two main categories of visa, permanent and temporary. The permanent visa category offers three primary pathways: skilled, family and humanitarian. The skilled visa category is by far the most common, with more than a million permanent migrants living in Australia on this visa category at the last Australian census in 2021. Of the temporary visa categories, the higher education visa is the most popular, exceeding 180 thousand arrivals in 2023.

A total of 183 myna tissue samples in ethanol from India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii and Fiji between 1975–1989 were received from the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). A further 193 euthanized mynas were obtained from myna control programs from contributors in New Zealand between 2017–2020, and muscle tissue was subsampled from each individual. DNA was extracted from the ROM tissue samples using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen) following the manufacturer's protocols. DNA was extracted from the New Zealand tissue samples using the Monarch Genomic DNA Purification Kit (NEB) following the manufacturer's protocols. DNA concentration was measured using a Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). DNA was diluted to standardized concentrations of 50–100 ng/μL, and sent to Diversity Arrays Technology Pty Ltd company (DArT P/L) for further processing. Samples from 363 individuals were successfully sequenced, including 13 duplicate samples, using the proprietary Div...

Census data reveals that population density varies noticeably from area to area. Small area census data do a better job depicting where the crowded neighborhoods are. In this map, the yellow areas of highest density range from 30,000 to 150,000 persons per square kilometer. In those areas, if the people were spread out evenly across the area, there would be just 4 to 9 meters between them. Very high density areas exceed 7,000 persons per square kilometer. High density areas exceed 5,200 persons per square kilometer. The last categories break at 3,330 persons per square kilometer, and 1,500 persons per square kilometer.This dataset is comprised of multiple sources. All of the demographic data are from Michael Bauer Research with the exception of the following countries:Australia: Esri Australia and MapData ServicesCanada: Esri Canada and EnvironicsFrance: Esri FranceGermany: Esri Germany and NexigaIndia: Esri India and IndicusJapan: Esri JapanSouth Korea: Esri Korea and OPENmateSpain: Esri España and AISUnited States: Esri Demographics

In financial year 2023, it was estimated that 64.32 thousand more Chinese migrated to Australia than emigrated. This marked a significant increase in Chinese net migration compared to 14.72 thousand people in the previous financial year.

The Chinese community in Australia

Chinese migration to Australia dates back to the Australian gold rush of the 1850s and 60s, however, exclusionary migration policies up until the 1970’s restricted migration from China for some time. Since then, immigration from China has increased steadily and Chinese migrants now represent Australia’s third largest migrant group after the UK and India. The 2016 Australian census showed that Mandarin was the second most common language spoken at home in Australia, and Cantonese came in fourth. The Australian Chinese community also includes a significant proportion of the international students from China choosing to study in Australia.

Chinese investment in Australia

Although foreign investment in Australia still comes primarily from its traditional trade partners, the United States and the United Kingdom, Chinese investment has been increasing in recent years. The bulk of Chinese investment in Australia goes toward commercial real estate and agribusiness. In New South Wales alone, real estate investment from China totaled almost 1.25 billion Australian dollars, which accounted for around a half of all Chinese real estate investment in the country. By comparison, in 2019 the import value of Australian food products to China displayed yet another year on year increase, totaling more than two billion U.S. dollars.

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Walking Canes Market Size 2025-2029

The walking canes market size is valued to increase USD 152.8 million, at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2024 to 2029. Rising geriatric population will drive the walking canes market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

Asia dominated the market and accounted for a 46% growth during the forecast period.
By Material - Metal segment was valued at USD 418.10 million in 2023
By Distribution Channel - Online Retail segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 29.66 million
Market Future Opportunities: USD 152.80 million
CAGR : 3.4%
Asia: Largest market in 2023

Market Summary

The market encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of walking canes designed to aid mobility for individuals with various mobility challenges. This market is driven by several factors, including the rising geriatric population and the emergence of smart walking canes equipped with advanced features such as built-in flashlights, seat functions, and Bluetooth connectivity. However, rising costs of raw materials used in manufacturing and stringent regulations pose significant challenges. As we look ahead, the forecast period presents both opportunities and challenges. For instance, the adoption rate of assistive devices, including walking canes, is expected to increase, driven by the growing elderly population and advancements in technology.
According to recent reports, the global market for assistive devices is projected to reach a value of 32.3 billion USD by 2026, growing at a steady pace. Related markets such as the Prosthetics And Orthotics industry also offer potential growth opportunities for walking cane manufacturers.

What will be the Size of the Walking Canes Market during the forecast period?

Get Key Insights on Market Forecast (PDF) Request Free Sample

How is the Walking Canes Market Segmented and what are the key trends of market segmentation?

The walking canes industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Material

  Metal
  Wooden
  Others


Distribution Channel

  Online Retail
  Medical Supply Stores
  Pharmacies
  Offline


Application

  Mobility support
  Rehabilitation
  Fashion and style
  Medical use
  Outdoor activities


End-User

  Elderly
  Disabled Individuals
  Rehabilitation Patients


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Russia
    UK


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Material Insights

The metal segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Metal walking canes remain a popular choice for individuals seeking durability, stability, and convenience in mobility aids. According to recent market data, the market for metal canes is projected to expand by 15.3% in 2024, driven by the increasing aging population and the demand for reliable mobility solutions. Aluminum and steel are the dominant materials in the market due to their strength and lightweight properties. To cater to user preferences, manufacturers are focusing on enhancing the user experience by incorporating ergonomic handle designs, adjustable height settings, and foldable mechanisms for improved portability. The aesthetic appeal of metal canes is also gaining traction, with anodized finishes and modern designs becoming increasingly popular.

Moreover, safety features such as wrist strap attachments, cane tip materials, and stability base designs are essential considerations for manufacturers. Durable components, including anti-slip cane ferrules and carbon fiber canes, are also becoming increasingly popular due to their strength and longevity. In terms of user comfort, manufacturers are focusing on handle grip materials and shock absorption to improve cane balance and distribute weight evenly. User feedback and testing are crucial in the development process to ensure canes meet the evolving needs of consumers. The cane manufacturing process involves various stages, including design, material selection, production, and quality control.

Biomechanical cane design and custom fitting are essential aspects of the process to ensure optimal user experience and comfort. In the future, the market for metal walking canes is expected to grow by 12.7%, driven by ongoing research and development efforts to improve cane functionality and design. The focus on user feedback and ergonomics is expected to continue, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly materials. In conclusion, the market for metal walking canes is continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers.

Abstract

To gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook and partners collaborate to collect and share timely information with the broader community. The State of Small Business (SoSB) Survey surveys SMBs, employees, and consumers from approximately 30 countries across the globe. This combination of survey respondents allows us to evaluate how the impacts on SMBs, their employees, and their clients have developed throughout 2021.

Geographic coverage

Argentina Australia Belgium Brazil Canada Colombia Egypt France Germany Ghana India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Kenya Mexico Nigeria Pakistan Philippines Poland Portugal Russian Federation (the) South Africa Spain Taiwan Turkey United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America (the) Vietnam

Analysis unit

The study describes small and medium-sized business owners, their employees and consumers.

Universe

The survey uses a random sample of SMB leaders with Facebook Page administrator privileges and of the general population of Facebook users. Therefore, the sample covered in the survey is representative of SMB leaders surveyable through Facebook at the country level.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey reaches a random sample of SMB leaders with Facebook Page administrator privileges and of the general population of Facebook users. A random sample of firms, representing the target population in each country, is selected to respond to the survey. To achieve better representation of the broader small business population on Facebook, Facebook also weights our results based on known characteristics of the Facebook Page admin population.

Mode of data collection

Internet [int]

Research instrument

Questions cover a range of topics depending on the survey wave such as business characteristics, challenges, financials and strategy in addition to custom modules related to regulation, access to finance, digital technologies, reduction in revenues, business closures, reduction of employees and challenges/needs of the business

Response rate

Response rates to online surveys vary widely depending on a number of factors including survey length, region, strength of the relationship with invitees, incentive mechanisms, invite copy, interest of respondents in the topic and survey design. To achieve better representation of the broader small business population on Facebook, Facebookwe also weights our results based on known characteristics of the Facebook Page admin population.

Note: Response rates are calculated as the number of respondents who completed the survey divided by the total number of SMBs invited.

Sampling error estimates

Any survey data is prone to several forms of error and biases that need to be considered to understand how closely the results reflect the intended population. In particular, the following components of the total survey error are noteworthy: Sampling error is a natural characteristic of every survey based on samples and reflects the uncertainty in any survey result that is attributable to the fact that not the whole population is surveyed.Other factors beyond sampling error that contribute to such potential differences are frame or coverage error (sampling frame of Page owners does not include all relevant businesses but also may include individuals that don’t represent businesses), and nonresponse error.

Note that the sample is meant to reflect the population of businesses on Facebook, not the population of small businesses in general. This group of digitized SMEs is itself a community worthy of deeper consideration and of considerable policy interest. However, care should be taken when extrapolating to the population of SMEs in general. Moreover, future work should evaluate the external validity of the sample. Particularly, respondents should be compared to the broader population of SMEs on Facebook, and the economy as a whole.

Immigration Service Market Outlook

The global immigration service market size was valued at approximately USD 25 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 40 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. The growth of the immigration services market is largely fueled by increasing globalization and the consequent rise in cross-border movements, driven by both personal ambitions and corporate strategies.

One of the primary growth factors for the immigration service market is the increasing demand for skilled labor in various developed economies. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and many European nations are witnessing a significant skill gap in their labor markets, prompting them to ease immigration policies and provide more opportunities for skilled workers. This has led to an increase in demand for immigration services such as visa applications, work permits, and residency services. Additionally, the aging population in many developed nations adds to the urgency of attracting younger, skilled immigrants to maintain economic stability.

Another significant growth driver is the rise of multinational corporations (MNCs) and their need to deploy human resources globally. With businesses expanding their operations across borders, there is a growing requirement for corporate immigration services to manage work permits, intra-company transfers, and compliance with local immigration laws. This trend is particularly noticeable in sectors like IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance, where specialized skills are in high demand, and talent mobility is crucial for business operations. The increasing ease of doing business internationally has also encouraged smaller enterprises to explore global markets, further boosting the demand for immigration services.

The socio-political environment also plays a crucial role in shaping the immigration service market. Political stability and favorable immigration policies in certain regions make them attractive destinations for immigrants. For instance, countries that are known for their inclusive policies and transparent immigration processes tend to attract more immigrants. Moreover, the evolving geopolitical landscape, including scenarios like Brexit or shifts in U.S. immigration policies, significantly impacts the flow of immigrants and the demand for various immigration services. These changes necessitate the continuous adaptation and evolution of immigration services to meet new regulatory requirements and client needs.

When it comes to regional analysis, North America and Europe remain dominant players in the immigration service market due to their attractive job markets and robust economies. However, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as a significant player, driven by rapid economic development and increasing opportunities in countries like China, India, Japan, and Australia. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also showing potential growth, albeit at a slower pace, due to improving economic conditions and political reforms in certain countries. Each region presents unique opportunities and challenges, requiring tailored strategies and services to meet the specific needs of immigrants and corporations.

In recent years, the advent of Online Visa Service has revolutionized the immigration landscape, providing a more streamlined and accessible approach to visa applications. These digital platforms allow applicants to submit their visa requests and track their progress from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for physical visits to embassies or consulates. The convenience offered by online services is particularly beneficial for individuals in remote locations or those with busy schedules. Moreover, online visa services often incorporate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the application process. This digital transformation is not only improving user experience but also reducing processing times and minimizing errors, making it a preferred choice for tech-savvy applicants and service providers alike.

Service Type Analysis

Visa services form a crucial segment of the immigration service market, addressing the fundamental need for legal entry and stay in a foreign country. This segment is highly diversified, covering various types of visas such as student visas, tourist visas, business visas, and permanent residency visas, among others. The demand for visa servi

Based on a comparison of coronavirus deaths in 210 countries relative to their population, Peru had the most losses to COVID-19 up until July 13, 2022. As of the same date, the virus had infected over 557.8 million people worldwide, and the number of deaths had totaled more than 6.3 million. Note, however, that COVID-19 test rates can vary per country. Additionally, big differences show up between countries when combining the number of deaths against confirmed COVID-19 cases. The source seemingly does not differentiate between "the Wuhan strain" (2019-nCOV) of COVID-19, "the Kent mutation" (B.1.1.7) that appeared in the UK in late 2020, the 2021 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) from India or the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) from South Africa.

The difficulties of death figures

This table aims to provide a complete picture on the topic, but it very much relies on data that has become more difficult to compare. As the coronavirus pandemic developed across the world, countries already used different methods to count fatalities, and they sometimes changed them during the course of the pandemic. On April 16, for example, the Chinese city of Wuhan added a 50 percent increase in their death figures to account for community deaths. These deaths occurred outside of hospitals and went unaccounted for so far. The state of New York did something similar two days before, revising their figures with 3,700 new deaths as they started to include “assumed” coronavirus victims. The United Kingdom started counting deaths in care homes and private households on April 29, adjusting their number with about 5,000 new deaths (which were corrected lowered again by the same amount on August 18). This makes an already difficult comparison even more difficult. Belgium, for example, counts suspected coronavirus deaths in their figures, whereas other countries have not done that (yet). This means two things. First, it could have a big impact on both current as well as future figures. On April 16 already, UK health experts stated that if their numbers were corrected for community deaths like in Wuhan, the UK number would change from 205 to “above 300”. This is exactly what happened two weeks later. Second, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly which countries already have “revised” numbers (like Belgium, Wuhan or New York) and which ones do not. One work-around could be to look at (freely accessible) timelines that track the reported daily increase of deaths in certain countries. Several of these are available on our platform, such as for Belgium, Italy and Sweden. A sudden large increase might be an indicator that the domestic sources changed their methodology.

Where are these numbers coming from?

The numbers shown here were collected by Johns Hopkins University, a source that manually checks the data with domestic health authorities. For the majority of countries, this is from national authorities. In some cases, like China, the United States, Canada or Australia, city reports or other various state authorities were consulted. In this statistic, these separately reported numbers were put together. For more information or other freely accessible content, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Whereas the population is expected to decrease somewhat until 2100 in Asia, Europe, and South America, it is predicted to grow significantly in Africa. While there were 1.55 billion inhabitants on the continent at the beginning of 2025, the number of inhabitants is expected to reach 3.81 billion by 2100. In total, the global population is expected to reach nearly 10.18 billion by 2100. Worldwide population In the United States, the total population is expected to steadily increase over the next couple of years. In 2024, Asia held over half of the global population and is expected to have the highest number of people living in urban areas in 2050. Asia is home to the two most populous countries, India and China, both with a population of over one billion people. However, the small country of Monaco had the highest population density worldwide in 2024. Effects of overpopulation Alongside the growing worldwide population, there are negative effects of overpopulation. The increasing population puts a higher pressure on existing resources and contributes to pollution. As the population grows, the demand for food grows, which requires more water, which in turn takes away from the freshwater available. Concurrently, food needs to be transported through different mechanisms, which contributes to air pollution. Not every resource is renewable, meaning the world is using up limited resources that will eventually run out. Furthermore, more species will become extinct which harms the ecosystem and food chain. Overpopulation was considered to be one of the most important environmental issues worldwide in 2020.

Russia is the largest country in the world by far, with a total area of just over 17 million square kilometers. After Antarctica, the next three countries are Canada, the U.S., and China; all between 9.5 and 10 million square kilometers. The figures given include internal water surface area (such as lakes or rivers) - if the figures were for land surface only then China would be the second largest country in the world, the U.S. third, and Canada (the country with more lakes than the rest of the world combined) fourth. Russia Russia has a population of around 145 million people, putting it in the top ten most populous countries in the world, and making it the most populous in Europe. However, it's vast size gives it a very low population density, ranked among the bottom 20 countries. Most of Russia's population is concentrated in the west, with around 75 percent of the population living in the European part, while around 75 percent of Russia's territory is in Asia; the Ural Mountains are considered the continental border. Elsewhere in the world Beyond Russia, the world's largest countries all have distinctive topographies and climates setting them apart. The United States, for example, has climates ranging from tundra in Alaska to tropical forests in Florida, with various mountain ranges, deserts, plains, and forests in between. Populations in these countries are often concentrated in urban areas, and are not evenly distributed across the country. For example, around 85 percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border; around 95 percent of China lives east of the Heihe–Tengchong Line that splits the country; and the majority of populations in large countries such as Australia or Brazil live near the coast.

In 2023, the majority of overseas students in Australia came from China, accounting for around ** percent of international students. The next largest group was students from India, accounting for around ** percent of all international students.

In the middle of 2023, about 60 percent of the global population was living in Asia.The total world population amounted to 8.1 billion people on the planet. In other words 4.7 billion people were living in Asia as of 2023. Global populationDue to medical advances, better living conditions and the increase of agricultural productivity, the world population increased rapidly over the past century, and is expected to continue to grow. After reaching eight billion in 2023, the global population is estimated to pass 10 billion by 2060. Africa expected to drive population increase Most of the future population increase is expected to happen in Africa. The countries with the highest population growth rate in 2024 were mostly African countries. While around 1.47 billion people live on the continent as of 2024, this is forecast to grow to 3.9 billion by 2100. This is underlined by the fact that most of the countries wit the highest population growth rate are found in Africa. The growing population, in combination with climate change, puts increasing pressure on the world's resources.

While the European colonization and settlement of other world regions largely began in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was not until the 19th century when the largest waves of migration began to take place. In early years, migration rates were comparatively low; in all of the Americas, the slave population actually outnumbered that of Europeans for most of the given period. Then, with the development of steam ships, intercontinental travel became more affordable and accessible to the masses, and voluntary migration from Europe rose significantly. Additionally, larger numbers of Asian migrants, especially from India and China, migrated to Australia, the Caribbean, and U.S. from the mid-1800s; although the U.S. and Australia both introduced policies that limited or prevented Asian immigration throughout most of the early 1900s. International migration between 1913 and 1950 was also comparatively low due to the tumultuous nature of the period, which involved both World Wars and the Great Depression.

The access to services of banks or similar organizations differs widely worldwide depending on the country. While the whole population in all the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada had access to banks (meaning an “unbanked” population of **** percent), countries like Morocco and Vietnam had a higher unbanked population. Morocco was the country with the lowest share of bank account owners: less than ***** percent as of 2023. Vietnam, Egypt, and the Philippines were other countries with very high share of unbanked populations. Why are people unbanked? Countries with high shares of unbanked, such as Morocco and the abovementioned, are typically less stable economies with a less developed financial system. It is generally also countries where the citizens have little trust in the banking system. Although these countries have the highest shares of unbanked, the lack of access to services of banks or similar organizations is also present in more developed and financially stable countries as well. In the United States for example, ***** percent of the population is unbanked. The most common reason for this, according to U.S. financial households in 2019, was that they had too little money. Financial services often cost money and comes with fees, and without sufficient finances, customers might find it too expensive to open a bank account. Did the situation change after COVID-19? It can be seen, at least in Latin American countries, that the share of unbanked population dropped because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as various social benefit programs were introduced to alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic. The change in unbanked population was especially apparent in Brazil, where the share declined by ** percent in 2020.

The earliest point where scientists can make reasonable estimates for the population of global regions is around 10,000 years before the Common Era (or 12,000 years ago). Estimates suggest that Asia has consistently been the most populated continent, and the least populated continent has generally been Oceania (although it was more heavily populated than areas such as North America in very early years). Population growth was very slow, but an increase can be observed between most of the given time periods. There were, however, dips in population due to pandemics, the most notable of these being the impact of plague in Eurasia in the 14th century, and the impact of European contact with the indigenous populations of the Americas after 1492, where it took almost four centuries for the population of Latin America to return to its pre-1500 level. The world's population first reached one billion people in 1803, which also coincided with a spike in population growth, due to the onset of the demographic transition. This wave of growth first spread across the most industrially developed countries in the 19th century, and the correlation between demographic development and industrial or economic maturity continued until today, with Africa being the final major region to begin its transition in the late-1900s.

There were more than *** thousand Chinese student enrollments in Australia as of June 2022, with approximately ***** thousand enrolled in the higher education sector alone. This high figure is largely in part to many institutions readily accepting international students, as well as the use of English as the main language in most educational courses. The limited amount of university spots in China due to its large population also forces Chinese students to look overseas for education opportunities. Demographic of international students in Australia   Australia has the largest proportion of international students in higher education, with almost ******* of all higher education students in the country being international students. Furthermore, Chinese students make up the biggest share of these international students, with almost twice as many students as second-placed India. Education as a source of income   While the cost of education is regulated for local students, universities in Australia can set their own prices for internationals. This creates a market where institutions are permitted to set prices to match the high demand for education. The export income from international education activity in Australia reached tens of billions of dollars over the past decade. Despite the high cost of entry, there is still plenty of demand with some universities such as the University of New South Wales having more than ** percent of students coming from overseas.