Sampling challenges in a study examining refugee resettlement

Table 4 Comparison of total sample demographics with 2006 Census data for Western Australia

		Afghan sample (n = 90)	Census Afghan born (n = 1460)	Kurdish sample (n = 103)	Census Iraq born (n = 1680)	Census - Iran born (n = 2190)
Place of birth	Iran	4		39
	Iraq			59
	Afghanistan	78
	India	4
	Pakistan	3
	Turkey			3
	Not stated	1		2
Gender	Male	50%	54%	53%	53%	52%
	Female	50%	46%	47%	47%	48%
Median age		20-29	28.9 years	30-39	35.7 yrs	40.4 yrs
Religion*	Muslim	98%	95%	89%	31%	32%
Speaks English **		76%	68%	95%	71%	81%
Post school qualifications ***		59%	34%	33%	33%	59%
Arrival pre-1996		46%	27%	52%	33%	55%

*Note that census data for Iraq and Iran-born people includes groups other than Kurds. The Iraq and Iran-born groups include Bahai's and Christians, many of whom sought refuge from religious persecution as minorities in these countries. In comparison, the majority of Kurds are Muslim with small numbers following traditional Kurdish religions. These differences are not reflected in census data.
**Refugee study data includes people with varying English language skills. They were not asked to rate their English ability, just whether they could speak functional English or not, so percentages are likely to be higher than census data reporting the ability to speak English well.
*** Census data also includes people aged 15-17 who are still likely to be at school, whereas the study included those 18 and older who have mostly left school with many going on to further study

ISSN: 1472-698X