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Torres Strait Islander Population Shift
More Torres Strait Islanders Residing on Mainland Australia
Significant Population Change
In a significant demographic shift, the Torres Strait Islander population in mainland Australia has surpassed that residing on the islands themselves. According to recent data, there are approximately 28,000 Torres Strait Islanders living on the mainland, while only about 4,500 remain on the islands. This represents a marked departure from historical trends, as the Torres Strait Islands have traditionally been the primary home to this Indigenous cultural group.
Torres Strait Islander peoples, along with Aboriginal peoples, constitute Australia's two distinct Indigenous cultural groups. An estimated 6,800 Torres Strait Islanders continue to reside in the strait, while an estimated 42,000 live outside the islands, primarily in northern Australia. The significant population shift to the mainland is attributed to various factors, including socio-economic opportunities, access to education and healthcare, and familial connections.
The Indigenous peoples of Australia have endured significant historical challenges, including European colonization and its associated impacts. The establishment of a British settlement at Somerset near Cape York in 1863 had a profound effect on the Torres Strait Islander population, disrupting their traditional way of life and leading to displacement and migration.
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