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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

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It has never been easier for a non-white and a non-Christian to become an Australian. Different programs try to make sure that this country won't suffer from demographic misbalances when the baby boom generation starts leaving the working force. On the other hand, the immigration procedures for rich retirees seem to be a bit restrictive. This may be explained partly by the fear of people abusing the system without having proper financial support. Whatever the real reason is, even if we ignore the vast inhospitable spaces of Australia, this country still seems largely underpopulated. Surrounded by overpopulated and developing nations, Australia may lose in the future its distinctive European features.

Australia undergoes similar demographic trends that most West European and North American nations face. Lower birth rates, usually below the simple replacement rates, quickly aging general population and workforce, general preference toward quiet occupations instead of risky undertakings. This is unsustainable development in any imaginable way. To solve the accumulating economic and social problems the Australian government has always recurred to immigration. In fact, Australia is one of the few immigration nations in the world that still uses this tool. Almost a half of whole population is either not born in the country, or have at least one parent not born in Australia.

Traditionally Australia has welcomed white and Christian immigrants. Data from the general statistics shows that up until 1960s almost all immigrants came from different European countries, especially from the England and Ireland, and also from Southern Europe. It was the civil war in Lebanon that produced the first large immigration wave of non-Europeans. Since 1980s Asian countries began contributing to ever more diversified flow of migrants. In the last 5-10 years China and India had joined the movement. Even if New Zealand and Britain are still among the top sources of immigration, the white Australian population is also the main source of emigration from the country. As a result the non-White and non-Christian population grows and already almost 20% don't even speak English at home.

Skilful wound-be immigrants have two options to settle in Australia. One is through economic immigration program, in which the applications are sent to several immigration offices around the world. The annual quotas are approximately 120,000 and priority is given to persons with some specific skills from a list of professions as well as to those who have pronounced interests in living outside the largest cities in order to compensate for the internally migrating workforce. The second is through obtaining Australian university degree and application on place after graduation. Tens of thousand use this second option and remain legally in the country as permanent residents. After living in the country for 2 years as permanent resident foreigners can apply for Australian citizenship.
The situation for those foreigners wishing to pass their retirement in Australia isn't so straightforward. They must apply to special kind of visa, Investor Retirement visa, which is temporary, usually for up to 4 years, and may be renewed, which however doesn't lead automatically neither to permanent residence nor to citizenship. It also doesn't provide its holder any access to the Australian social and health services. It's up to the applicants to prove enough funds to support financially their retirement in Australia and to obtain private health insurance for the whole period of their visa. No concessions are provided to foreign retirees who have children or other family members in Australia. These visa holders are entitled to work in the country but for no more than 20 hours per week.

Australia country profile:

• Area: 7,686,850 sq km
• Population: 20 million (July 2005 est.)
• Population growth rate: 0.87% (2005 est.)
• Net migration rate: 3.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth: 80.39 years
• Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2005 est.)
• GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $32,000 (2005 est.)
• Main trading partners: US, Japan, and China.
• Internet users: 14.2 million (December 2005)

(Source: CIA World Factbook 2006, Reuters)

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See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Australia.