Leslie Massey
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. The population density is low compared to other countries, with most people living close to the coast. Australia's population has grown over time due to immigration, and the country has a high median wealth per adult. As of 2025, the population is estimated to be around 27 million, with projections reaching over 70 million in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 26,974,026 (mid-year 2025 estimate) |
| Global rank by population | 54th or 55th |
| Population density | 3.4-4/km2 (one source states 3.6/km2) |
| Indigenous population | 548,000 (2011) |
| Percentage of population with no religious practice or belief | 30.1% (2016) |
| Percentage of population that is Catholic | 22.6% (2016) |
| Percentage of population that is Anglican Christian | 13.3% (2016) |
| Percentage of population with European ancestry | 72% (2021) |
| Percentage of population with Aboriginal Australian ancestry | 3% (2021) |
| Median age | 38.3 years |
| Percentage of population living within 100km of the coast | 95% |
| Wealth per adult | Second-highest in the world (2021) |
| Financial assets per capita | 13th-highest in the world (2021) |
| Labour force | 13.5 million (June 2022) |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% (June 2022) |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% |
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Population density
Australia's population density is low compared to other countries. As of June 2022, the population density was reported as 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi), making Australia the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia. The population density in 2020 was 3.33, a 1.24% increase from 2019. Australia's population density for 2019 was 3.29, a 1.49% increase from 2018. In 2018, the population density was 3.25, a 1.5% increase from 2017.
The population density of Australia is 4 per Km² (9 people per sq mi) according to another source. The total land area is 7,682,300 Km² (2,966,151 sq. mi). 86.51% of the population is urban (23,335,357 people in 2025). The median age in Australia is 38.3 years.
The population of Australia is estimated to be 27,833,200 as of 20 May 2025. It is the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous Oceanian country. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards, and is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029. Australia's population has grown from an estimated population of between 300,000 and 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788 due to numerous waves of immigration during the period since.
Most of Australia's population lives close to coastlines. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast; the world average is 39%. Australia contains five cities (including their suburbs) that consist of over one million people.
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Population distribution
Australia's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast. The population is mainly distributed in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. Australia contains five cities (including their suburbs) that consist of over one million people. The Outback, on the other hand, is sparsely populated.
The population of Australia is estimated to be 27,831,500 as of 19 May 2025, with a median age of 38.3 years. It is the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous Oceanian country. Its population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is one of the lowest in the world. The total fertility rate, or the number of children born per woman, is based on good data for the entire period.
Australia's Indigenous population has been estimated to number between 315,000 and 1,100,000 at the time of British colonisation. The Indigenous population today is over 548,000, or 2.5% of the total population, up from 116,000 in 1976. Almost 60% of Indigenous Australians live in New South Wales and Queensland, which roughly represents 2–5% of those states' populations.
Australia's population has quadrupled since World War I, mostly due to immigration. Nearly 6 million immigrants came to Australia from the end of World War II through 2000, accounting for 2 out of every 7 Australians. As of the last census in 2011, over 30% of Australians were born in another country and over 46% had at least one overseas-born parent. The most common sources of immigration are the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, India, and Vietnam.
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Immigration
Australia's population is estimated to be 27,831,500 as of 19 May 2025, with a median age of 38.3 years. It is the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous country in Oceania. The population density is 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the least densely populated countries globally. About 95% of Australians live within 100 km of the coast, and the majority reside in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, southeastern, and southern seaboards.
The history of immigration to Australia is complex and multifaceted. It has been influenced by various factors, including European colonisation, the White Australia policy, and more recently, a shift towards multiculturalism.
European colonisation began in 1788 with the establishment of a British penal colony in New South Wales. Between 1788 and the mid-20th century, the majority of settlers and immigrants arrived from Britain and Ireland, particularly England, Ireland, and Scotland. During this period, there was also significant immigration from China and Germany. The Gold Rush era, starting in 1851, led to a substantial increase in population, including large numbers of British and Irish settlers, followed by smaller groups of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese immigrants.
In the decades following World War II, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. This marked a shift from the previous patterns of predominantly British and Irish immigration. The White Australia policy, in force from 1901 to 1973, forbade the entry of people of non-European ethnic origins. However, following World War II, this policy was gradually relaxed and eventually abolished, leading to a more diverse range of source countries for immigrants.
Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia has embraced multiculturalism. In recent years, Asia has been the largest source of immigrants to Australia, with skilled migration and family reunion programs being the largest components of immigration. Despite some fluctuations, such as a halt in immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-20, Australia continues to attract a significant number of immigrants from around the world.
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Religion
Australia has no official religion. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, while 38.9% declared they had no religion. Since 1991, the percentage of Christians has steadily decreased, while the percentage of non-religious Australians has increased. In 2022, almost 10 million Australians reported having no religion.
Christianity first came to Australia in 1788 with British colonial settlement. The indigenous population at the time practised a set of beliefs known as The Dreaming, which is one of the earliest examples of religious practices among humans. The first religious census in 1828 divided the early colony into four groups: Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and Pagans. The Australian gold rushes brought in workers from China and the Pacific Islands, as well as Muslim "Afghan Cameleers" from British India.
The White Australia Policy of 1901 limited immigration to those of European descent, ensuring that Christianity remained the dominant religion. In the first census in 1911, 96% of Australians identified as Christian. However, since then, Australia has become more religiously diverse. The number of people who identify with religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism has been rising. The religion with the highest proportional growth since the last census was Yezidi, which increased by 6,444%.
The religious affiliation of Australians varies across generations. Older generations are more likely to be Christian, while younger generations are more likely to have no religious affiliation. For example, 69.4% of the Interwar generation are Christian, compared to 46.5% of Millennials.
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Urbanisation
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with a high rate of urbanisation since the 20th century. The country's population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards. As of 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,831,500, with 86.51% of the population living in urban areas. This equates to around 23,335,357 people.
Australia's urbanisation is closely linked to its history of immigration. Since the 1960s, the country's urbanisation rate has consistently been above 80%, reaching its highest-ever rate of 86.62% in 2023. The high rates of immigration, particularly to coastal, urban areas, have contributed to the country's high level of urbanisation.
The population density in Australia is low compared to other countries. With a total land area of 7,682,300 square kilometres, the population density is around 3.5 to 4 people per square kilometre. This makes Australia one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The country's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of people living within 100 kilometres of the coast.
The urbanisation of Australia has resulted in a high proportion of the population living in a small area of the country. As of 2016, more than two-thirds of Australians lived in a capital city, with 40% of the population in the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. This trend towards urbanisation is expected to continue, with Australia's population projected to exceed 30 million by 2029.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Australia is estimated to be 27,831,500 as of 19 May 2025, making it the 54th most populous country in the world.
Australia's population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is one of the lowest in the world.
The median age of the population in Australia is 38.3 years.
The population of Australia has quadrupled since World War I, mostly due to immigration. It is projected to continue growing and exceed 30 million by 2029.
