Lexi Webster
Australia has a population of 26 million people, with the majority of its inhabitants residing along the coast. The country's most populous city is Sydney, with 4,627,345 people calling it home. Melbourne, the second-largest city, is not far behind with a population of 5,207,145. Other major cities include Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. With that context in mind, we can now explore whether there are any cities globally with larger populations than Australia's most populous city, Sydney.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Australia | 26 million |
| Population of Sydney | 4,627,345-5,450,496 |
| Population of Melbourne | 5,207,145 |
| Population of Brisbane | 2,706,966 |
| Population of Perth | 2,309,388 |
| Population of Adelaide | 1.35 million |
| Population of Canberra | 466,566 |
| Population of Hobart | 253,654 |
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What You'll Learn
Sydney: Australia's most populous city
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a population of 26 million inhabitants. The country has eight Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA), which are the eight unique statistical divisions delineating the broadest possible concept of each state or territory capital city. The population of the GCCSA is the most-often-quoted figure for the population of capital cities.
Sydney has long been Australia's most populous city, but in 2023, Melbourne officially overtook it. Melbourne's population was 4,875,400 at the country's most recent census in 2021, while there were 18,700 fewer people in Sydney, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Melbourne's population growth has been attributed to its appeal to international migrants and Australians from other states. The city has celebrated diversity and established itself as a preferable destination for migrants. Additionally, Melbourne's cheaper cost of living, particularly for housing, makes it more attractive than Sydney.
However, when considering the Greater Sydney area, Sydney still comes out on top, with a population of 5,259,800 compared to Melbourne's 4,976,200. This is because the boundary of Greater Sydney takes in the sprawling central coast region of the state of New South Wales, where many residents commute to Sydney daily.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is a true multicultural metropolis and is a must-see destination for those visiting Australia for the first time. The city boasts iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and the historic Harbour Bridge. It is also known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity, attracting people from around the world.
In conclusion, while Melbourne may have overtaken Sydney as the most populous city within certain boundaries, Sydney remains Australia's most populous city when considering the broader context of the Greater Sydney area.
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Melbourne: Australia's second-largest city
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a population of 26 million people. The country's population is concentrated in coastal cities, a result of European colonisation, which began in 1770 when James Cook claimed the continent for the British crown.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is Australia's largest city, with a population of 4,627,345 people. It is a multicultural metropolis and a popular destination for international visitors, famed for its iconic landmarks, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is Australia's second-largest city, with a population of 5,207,145. Melbourne has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a 24% population increase between 2011 and 2023. It is a vibrant, multicultural city, known for its diverse range of cultural attractions, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Royal Exhibition Building. Melbourne is also renowned for its coffee culture, with an abundance of cafes and a thriving street art scene. The city has a strong focus on sports and is home to many major sporting events, such as the Australian Open and the Formula One Grand Prix.
Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia, with a population of 2,706,966 as of 2023. The city boasts cultural centres of international importance, such as the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Perth, with 2,309,388 inhabitants, is Australia's fourth-largest city, located on the coast opposite Sydney. Adelaide, the biggest city in South Australia, has a population of 1.35 million, while Canberra, the capital, is the largest inland city, with a population of 466,566.
Australia's population is spread across its six states: New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. The country also has ten territories, including the Australian Antarctic Territory, which covers 42% of Antarctica and is uninhabited.
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Brisbane: Queensland's cultural centre
Australia has a population of 26 million people, with the majority of its inhabitants residing along the coast. The country has eight Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA), which represent a broad functional definition of each of the eight state and territory capital cities. The population of these GCCSAs is often quoted as the population of the capital cities.
Sydney is Australia's largest city, with a population of around 4.6 million people in the Greater Sydney area. It is a multicultural metropolis and a popular destination for international visitors due to its iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is the second-largest city with a population of over 5.2 million. Other major cities include Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a cultural centre with international significance. The city had a population of 2,706,966 in 2023, a 26% growth compared to 2011. Brisbane is home to cultural landmarks such as the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, the continent's largest art gallery, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The city's name originates from the Brisbane River, which flows through Brisbane and into the ocean, adding to the city's appeal.
Brisbane's cultural significance extends beyond its art galleries and performance venues. The city also boasts a thriving arts scene, with a variety of festivals, exhibitions, and performances held throughout the year. The Brisbane Festival, for example, is an international arts festival that showcases a range of performing arts, including theatre, dance, and music. The city also has a growing street art culture, with many vibrant murals and graffiti artworks adding colour to its laneways and buildings.
In addition to its cultural offerings, Brisbane is also known for its natural attractions. The Brisbane River, for instance, offers not just scenic views but also a range of outdoor activities such as kayaking and river cruises. The city is also home to several parks and gardens, including the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Roma Street Parkland. Mount Coot-tha, located just outside the city, offers a tranquil escape with its lush forests and panoramic views of Brisbane and its surroundings.
Brisbane's cultural significance lies not only in its arts and natural attractions but also in its diverse and multicultural identity. The city has a rich Indigenous heritage, with a number of sites of cultural importance located within and around Brisbane. The city also has a diverse culinary scene, with a variety of cuisines reflecting its multicultural population. Brisbane's cultural centres, such as the Queensland Cultural Centre, also host a range of events and exhibitions that celebrate the city's diverse communities and their contributions to the fabric of the city.
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Perth: Australia's fourth-largest city
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is Australia's fourth-largest city. It has a population of over 2 million, with 2,309,338 residents in the Greater Perth area as of June 2023. Perth is one of the world's most liveable cities and was classified as a Beta global city in 2020 by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
The city is geographically closer to East Timor and Jakarta, Indonesia, than to Sydney, with the nearest city of over 100,000 people being Adelaide, over 2,100 km away. Perth is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with most of its metropolitan area situated on the Swan Coastal Plain, a narrow strip between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp. The city was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony, and its central business district and port of Fremantle are located on the Swan River.
Perth has a notable proportion of British- and Irish-born residents, with 169,938 England-born residents counted in the 2021 census, ahead of Sydney, despite the latter having a much larger population. The city also has a significant South African community, with the phrase "packing for Perth" becoming associated with South Africans emigrating abroad. There were 35,262 South Africans residing in Perth as of 2016.
Perth has over 350 suburbs, with predominant urban centres including Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham. Fremantle Harbour and Perth Airport serve the city, which is also home to Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the world's largest inner-city parks. The city's population grew substantially due to the Western Australian gold rushes in the late 19th century and an influx of immigrants after World War II, mainly from Britain, Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia.
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Canberra: Australia's capital and largest inland city
Australia has a population of 26 million people, with 70% of its population living in the top eight most populous cities. The largest city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of 4,627,345 people (5,450,496 according to another source). Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and is located on the country's east coast.
The second-largest city in Australia is Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, with a population of 5,207,145. Other large cities in Australia include Brisbane (2,706,966), Perth (2,309,388), and Adelaide (1,350,000).
Canberra is Australia's capital and largest inland city, located 300 kilometres from Sydney and 650 kilometres from Melbourne. It has a population of 466,566, including the adjacent town of Queanbeyan in New South Wales. Canberra was specifically designed to be the country's capital in the early 20th century by American architect Walter Burley Griffin.
The population of Australia's capital cities grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) in 2023-24. This growth was driven by overseas migration (373,000), natural increase (89,500), and a decrease in internal migration (-34,600). Melbourne experienced the largest increase in population (142,600), followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900), and Perth (72,700). Perth had the highest growth rate at 3.1%.
In summary, while there are cities in the world with larger populations than Sydney, Australia's most populous city, Canberra is the nation's capital and largest inland city, reflecting the country's unique urban and regional demographics.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many cities around the world have a larger population than the entire population of Australia, which is 26 million. For context, the Greater Tokyo Area has a population of 38 million.
Sydney is the largest city in Australia, with a population of 4,627,345 people.
Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia, with a population of 5,207,145.
Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia, with a population of 2,706,966. Perth is the fourth-largest city, with 2,309,388 inhabitants. Adelaide is the biggest city in South Australia, with 1.35 million people.
