Here's Definitive Proof That Australia Is Actually A Fortress

When you break down the numbers, Australia is not as generous as you might think.

Refugee and asylum seeker policy has been dividing the Australian public and our political class for decades.

Ishara S. kodikar / Getty Images

In an emotional and rowdy debate over the weekend, the Labor Party decided to allow the turnback of asylum seeker boats, and double the current intake of refugees.

Meanwhile, the government is keen for us to know as little as possible about "on water matters".

Paul Miller / AAPIMAGE

It's reached the point that Immigration Minister Peter Dutton refuses to acknowledge that asylum seeker boats even exist.

But how does Australia's refugee intake stack up with the rest of the world. Do we pull our weight? Let's find out...

Do these countries have more or less refugees living in them per capita than Australia?

Guess which one had more refugees per capita in 2014 (excluding asylum seekers applying for refugee status).

Refugee statistics come from the UNHCR, and population data comes from the United Nations.

Of the 181 countries analysed, Australia ranked 65th, with a refugee population of 1.58 per 1000 people in 2014. To put that in perspective, our economy is the 12th largest in the world.

Abraham Nhial Wei / PR IMAGE

Most of the countries that Australia beats have no significant refugee intake (less than 0.1 refugees per 100 people).

Of course, there are lots of reasons that Australia might have a lower refugee population. Many of the countries with the most refugees have refugee camps supported by the United Nations.

Australia is also very remote compared to the other countries on this list, making it harder for refugees to reach us.

So can it really be said that Australia is pulling its weight when it comes to accepting refugees?

ABC News 24